8 Ways to Strengthen Your Letter of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation are a critical part of your scholarship application. Here are eight ways to help ensure you receive a strong recommendation:

1. Identify someone who knows you well.
2. Pay attention to the purpose of the recommendation, and read the instructions.
3. Speak to recommenders early.
4. Do not ask family, friends, or peers to write your recommendations.
5. Provide the recommender with a copy of your application and/or a summary of your campus and community involvement.
6. Let the recommender know details about the scholarship for which you are applying to help them customize their responses.
7. Request a copy of the submitted information.
8. Follow-up with a thank-you note.