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Getting a Good Letter of Recommendation

Though transcripts, test scores, and application essays will be used to compare you to other applicants, a letter of recommendation is also an important part of any college application. A good letter of recommendation can make up for other weak components and will provide admissions committees with important information about you. Read on to learn more.

Many schools request between one and three letters of recommendation during the admission process. But, not just any letter will do. A recommendation letter must support your application and be worth turning in.

Who to Ask
If you need a letter of recommendation, you will need to stop and consider who knows you best. You will want to choose someone who is familiar with your intelligence and work ethic. More importantly, you will want to choose someone who is a good writer.

When to Ask
Always ask for a letter of recommendation as soon as you make the decision to apply to school. Don't procrastinate. You want to make sure that you give the person writing the letter of recommendation enough time to produce a quality document.

How to Ask
When requesting a letter of recommendation, let the writer know what you need. For example, if you want the letter to focus on your determination and attention to detail, you can ask the person writing the letter to cite specific examples or situations in which you demonstrated these qualities.

Related Articles
» Should You Write Your Own Letter of Recommendation?
» How to Request a Letter of Recommendation
» Free Sample Letter of Recommendation
» College Application Checklist
» College Application FAQ