3 answers
Kawtar
Student
Casablanca, Grand Casablanca, Morocco
3
Questions
Updated
1146 views
recommendation letters?
Hello! I have a question and would really appreciate your advice.
I need recommendation letters for some programs, but in my country they aren't very common, so it's difficult to find teachers who have experience writing them.
Would it be acceptable if I explained my academic record and achievements to a teacher, provided evidence and supporting documents, and then asked them to evaluate whether I deserve a recommendation letter based on that information?
If anyone has experience with this or has been in a similar situation, I would be very grateful for your advice. Thank you!
Login to comment
3 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Dean; Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
764
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Yes, that is acceptable, especially when teachers are unfamiliar with writing recommendation letters.
When you approach a teacher, explain why you are applying, what the program is looking for, and why you chose them to write the recommendation. You can then provide a summary of your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, awards, projects, and career goals, along with any supporting documents. This helps the teacher write a more detailed and accurate letter.
However, don't ask the teacher to simply sign a letter that you have written yourself unless they specifically request it. Instead, ask if they would be willing to evaluate your achievements and write a recommendation based on their own knowledge of your abilities, using the information you provided as a reference.
Give the teacher plenty of time before the deadline, and politely let them know when the recommendation is due. Afterward, be sure to thank them for taking the time to support your application.
When you approach a teacher, explain why you are applying, what the program is looking for, and why you chose them to write the recommendation. You can then provide a summary of your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, awards, projects, and career goals, along with any supporting documents. This helps the teacher write a more detailed and accurate letter.
However, don't ask the teacher to simply sign a letter that you have written yourself unless they specifically request it. Instead, ask if they would be willing to evaluate your achievements and write a recommendation based on their own knowledge of your abilities, using the information you provided as a reference.
Give the teacher plenty of time before the deadline, and politely let them know when the recommendation is due. Afterward, be sure to thank them for taking the time to support your application.
Thanks for the advice.
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
157
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
Hi. Yes, it's completely acceptable and highly recommended to provide your teachers with your academic record, achievement highlights, and supporting documents so they have everything they need to evaluate and write about you. Since recommendation letters are unfamiliar to them, you can make the process even easier by explaining the purpose of the letter, sharing key points or projects you worked on together, and even offering a simple template or list of prompts to guide their writing. Teachers genuinely appreciate when students take the initiative to organize their information because it saves them time and allows them to write a far more personal, detailed recommendation for you. Your proactive mindset and thorough preparation show just how dedicated you are to your goals, and that drive will serve you well. You've got this, and I wish you the absolute best of luck with your applications!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1235
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Kawtar,
I would recommend that you look online for examples of typical recommendation letters, i.e. what style and length such letters have in your targeted country, what kind of achievements and activities are typically mentioned etc.
You can then approach your teachers with your CV and documentation of your achievements as well as some information about the program(s) you plan to apply to so they can write a letter targeting the program you want to apply to in the correct style.
At minimum, a recommendation letter should mention how long and in what capacity the recommender has known you (i.e. English teacher since 5th grade), what your performance was like in school (not just your marks but if you were e.g. above average, top 20%, top 10% or top 5% student), comments on extracurricular activities, clubs, leadership, awards etc and why the recommender thinks that you would be a great fit for the program.
The recommendation letter should focus on activities and accomplishments that the recommender has first-hand knowledge of. But you can fill them in a bit because they likely have many students and will not remember every detail about someone.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-letter-of-recommendation-with-examples
I would recommend that you look online for examples of typical recommendation letters, i.e. what style and length such letters have in your targeted country, what kind of achievements and activities are typically mentioned etc.
You can then approach your teachers with your CV and documentation of your achievements as well as some information about the program(s) you plan to apply to so they can write a letter targeting the program you want to apply to in the correct style.
At minimum, a recommendation letter should mention how long and in what capacity the recommender has known you (i.e. English teacher since 5th grade), what your performance was like in school (not just your marks but if you were e.g. above average, top 20%, top 10% or top 5% student), comments on extracurricular activities, clubs, leadership, awards etc and why the recommender thinks that you would be a great fit for the program.
The recommendation letter should focus on activities and accomplishments that the recommender has first-hand knowledge of. But you can fill them in a bit because they likely have many students and will not remember every detail about someone.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: