If you search for “When should I request college recommendation letters?” on Google, you are going to get a wide array of opinions. We’re about to add one more for you. The fact is that we’re a little shocked by how many sites recommend asking for recommendation letters just one to two months before they are due. That’s a terrible idea. Here is our suggestion and a few reasons behind it.
Pre-request your college recommendation letters before the end of your junior year in high school.
Are you surprised that we suggest asking for recommendation letters so early? Here are a few reasons why this is the smartest way to get quality letters:
- Everything is going to happen faster than you expect – No matter how reasonable the timelines seem on college applications, due dates are going to sneak up on you. The further ahead you stay, the better.
- A lot of students are going to ask the same teachers/counselors for recommendation letters – They will give priority to those who ask first, and you will get a better letter. Plus, you don’t want your favorite teacher/counselor to have to say no because they have too many letters to write.
- Take the stress out of the college admissions process – College applications are stressful enough without waiting until the last minute for things.
The Help You Need for College Application Timelines
College Planning Source is here to provide the college applications support you require. From one-on-one assessments to our free webinars, we have what you need to simplify the process. Call 858.676.0700 to learn more, or you can request your assessment online.
