Letters of Rec Unpacked: Common App, Colleges & Everything in Between
Letters of Recommendation: Everything You Need to Know Before You Ask
Letters of recommendation are an important part of many college applications—but they can also be one of the most confusing pieces of the process.
Who should you ask? When should you ask? What should you give your recommender? How many letters do you need? And once the letter is written, how does it actually get to your colleges?
In our latest podcast episode, “Letters of Rec Unpacked: Common App, Colleges & Everything in Between,” we answer the questions we hear most often from students and families.
Who Should You Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?
The first question students usually ask is, “Who should I ask?”
The answer isn’t necessarily the teacher who gave you your highest grade.
A strong recommender is someone who knows you well and can provide meaningful insight into who you are as a student and person. Ideally, they can discuss your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, growth, character, contributions to the classroom, or other qualities that don’t necessarily show up elsewhere in your application.
Depending on the college, this could be a classroom teacher, counselor, coach, employer, research mentor, or another individual who has worked closely with you.
The most important question isn’t simply:
“Is this person impressive?”
Instead, ask:
“Can this person write something specific and meaningful about me?”
When Should You Ask?
Don’t wait until application deadlines are approaching.
Teachers and counselors may be writing letters for many students, so giving them plenty of time is both respectful and practical.
Ideally, students should identify potential recommenders well before applications are due and ask early enough that the recommender isn’t rushed.
And remember: asking for a letter is a favor. Make the process as easy as possible for the person helping you.
What Should You Give Your Recommender?
Don’t simply say, “Can you write me a recommendation?” and walk away.
Give your recommender useful information that helps them write a stronger, more personalized letter.
Consider providing:
- A resume or activity list
- Your college list
- Intended major or academic interests
- A short description of your goals
- Important accomplishments
- Examples of projects or experiences you are proud of
- Information about why you are interested in particular colleges
- Any specific instructions or deadlines
This isn’t about telling your recommender exactly what to write. It’s about giving them context.
How Many Letters Do You Need?
This depends entirely on the college or program.
Some schools may require a specific number of recommendations. Others may have recommendations that are optional. Certain programs—particularly highly selective or specialized programs—may have their own requirements.
Always check the college’s current application requirements.
Don’t assume that every college follows the same rules.
Can You Send Extra Letters?
This is another area where students sometimes make mistakes.
More isn’t automatically better.
If a college requests two letters, sending four doesn’t necessarily strengthen your application. In some cases, additional materials may not even be reviewed.
Students should follow each college’s instructions carefully rather than assuming that sending more information will give them an advantage.
How Does the Common App Work?
The Common App allows students to add recommenders and assign them to colleges according to each school’s requirements.
But the process isn’t identical across every application platform.
Students may encounter different systems through:
- Common App
- Coalition/Scoir
- UC applications
- ApplyTexas
- Individual college application portals
- Third-party letter services used by high schools
This is why students should understand the submission process for every college on their list.
What Does Your Recommender See?
Students often wonder what happens after they enter a teacher or counselor as a recommender.
The recommender will generally receive instructions or notification through the appropriate application system or letter service. The exact process can vary depending on the platform and the college.
Students should monitor their application portals and recommendation status rather than assuming everything was successfully submitted.
What If Your School Uses a Letter Service?
Some high schools use a third-party system to manage recommendation letters.
In that situation, the process may look different from directly assigning a teacher through the Common App.
Follow your high school’s instructions.
Your counselor may have specific procedures for requesting, storing, and sending letters.
What About BS/MD Programs?
Students applying to combined medical programs should pay especially close attention to recommendation requirements.
Some BS/MD programs may have additional or different requirements compared with the university’s general undergraduate application.
Never assume that the general college requirements apply to a specialized program.
How Do You Know Your Letter Was Received?
Once your application is submitted, monitor the appropriate application portal.
Depending on the college and application system, you may be able to see whether recommendation materials have been received.
If something appears to be missing, don’t panic—but don’t wait until the last minute to investigate it either.
The Bottom Line
A good recommendation letter isn’t about finding the most famous teacher or sending the maximum number of letters.
It’s about finding someone who knows you well, can speak specifically about your strengths, and can provide a perspective that adds something meaningful to your application.
And just as importantly, make the process easy for your recommender.
Ask early. Provide helpful information. Follow the college’s instructions. Track your submissions.
For more tips, listen to our podcast episode “Letters of Rec Unpacked: Common App, Colleges & Everything in Between.”