Letters of Recommendation for Homeschoolers
Part of the process of getting ready for college is seeking out letters of recommendation. In this article, we will cover the ins and outs of getting letters of recommendation as a homeschooler. Who should be asked to write? When is the best time to ask? And how do I ask?
1. Who Should be Asked?
A person who provides a letter of recommendation is often called a referee because they are vouching for you and providing information about your skills and abilities. So, your first question should be: Who would be a good referee? Who should I ask for a letter of recommendation?
Obviously, a tutor, online instructor, or some educational authority figure is ideal. However, not all homeschooled students have such persons in their lives. This is especially true of families in more conventional homeschooling models where the parent is the sole educator and does not use outside resources. Homeschooled teens looking for letters of recommendation can quickly get frustrated if they don’t have access to a broad circle of teachers and coaches like their public school counterparts.
In these cases, it’s good to remember that the professional credentials of your referee aren’t as necessary as their ability to assess the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses accurately. The letter doesn’t need to come from a teacher or academic figure. A few good choices to consider are:
- Co-op director
- Parish priest
- Youth group leader
- Work supervisor
- Mentor
- 4-H organizer
Instead of thinking, “Gee, I don’t know any teachers,” ask yourself, “Who in my life can speak knowledgeably about my character and work ethic?”
2. When is the Best Time to Ask?
When asking for a letter of recommendation, it’s best to ask well before the deadline. There are several reasons for this. For one thing, you don’t know the schedule of the person you are contacting. If you ask a teacher or coach, your letter may be only one of a dozen they need to write. So, make sure you give them plenty of time.
Furthermore, remember that crafting a suitable letter of recommendation can take time. While some teachers can bang out great letters in twenty minutes, others labor over them for days, pouring carefully over the choice of every word. You need to be cognizant of the college’s submission deadlines. These can be complicated. Many colleges have different deadlines for every piece of the required paperwork for your application, so it can be confusing.
Finally, consider your college’s submission process. While some colleges let you submit your letters directly, others require them through a third-party service like Common App, which requires your referee to create an account if they don’t already have one.
Considering all this, it’s good to ask your referee at least a month in advance to account for all these variables. Of course, sometimes there will be unforseen situations. For example, you may suddenly get a surprise scholarship offer from an institution asking you to submit your letters within a week, and you’ll have to act quickly. Barring those extraordinary scenarios, try to give at least a month’s advance notice.
3. How Do I Ask Someone for a Letter of Recommendation?
It can be intimidating to ask an adult for a letter of recommendation. You may feel like you are bugging them or worry whether the adult thinks well enough of you to write such a letter. Don’t be afraid! Most adults are flattered by being asked to refer you. You are paying them a compliment by asking; you are essentially telling them they have played an essential role in your life, and that’s an honor!
Regarding how you ask, it’s best to request in writing, generally by email. Besides being more formal, this ensures that all the information your referee needs can easily be found in one place (versus simply telling them the details verbally, which can be easily forgotten). In your email, make sure you include the following information:
a) When the letter needs to be completed by
b) What institution it is for (if applicable, sometimes letters are just general)
c) To whom it needs to be addressed, if anyone specific
d) What format it should be written in, if applicable (PDF, Word, etc.)
e) How you would like it submitted
f) Make sure to thank them for their time
Here is a sample so you can see how this all gets put together:
Hello Mr. Campbell!
This is Madi from your American History class. I hope you are well and having a good semester! I am currenly applying to attend college at Franciscan University of Steubenville and was wondering if you’d be willing to write me a letter of recommendation? I would really appeciate it. I don’t need it for about five weeks, so there’s no rush. It needs to submitted to Mr. Smith in the Steubenville Admissions Office at [email address].
Please let me know if this will work. Thank you in advance for your time and for being my teacher.
Sincerely,
Madi
This is a fine letter that any adult would be happy to receive!
Conclusion
Asking for letters of recommendation can seem like a big deal, but incorporating the above tips can make it a much easier experience for you—and one less thing to stress about as you prepare for the transition to life after high school!
What are your thoughts on this topic? I invite you to join me and other homeschooling parents in our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group to continue the discussion!
