19 July 2025
6 minutes read
Who Should Write Your Letter of Recommendation for College (Tips, Template to Request and Write a Letter of Recommendation for Indian Students)?
19 July 2025
6 minutes read
Key Takeaways
- Who should write your letter of recommendation depends on how well the person knows your academic and personal strengths.
- Who should write your letter of recommendation is someone who can share specific examples of your accomplishments and potential.
- Who should write your letter of recommendation plays a key role in impressing admission officers with detailed, thoughtful insights.
The process of applying to college can be exhilarating but it can also be difficult, largely when you ask a person to be your recommender. Many Indian students are unsure who would make the best recommender. All of those letters for acceptance and scholarship or school applications, make it difficult to know who to select, how to prepare, and follow through.
This guide includes some steps on whom you might choose to provide your letter of recommendation, how to compose a letter or ask them to draft a letter, and how to assist your recommender during the whole process.
What is a Letter of Recommendation or Recommendation Letter?
Here’s a great piece of trivia: Most university applications in the US require at least one letter of recommendation from an individual who knows you well!
A recommendation letter is a formal note written by a teacher, counselor, or supervisor that talks about your strengths, accomplishments, and character to support your university application.
- Written by someone who knows you well enough to give you recommendation
- Helps admission officials understand your educational and personal qualities
- Adds credibility to your transcript, personal statement, statement of purpose, and resume
Why do People Write a Letter of Recommendation for College?
Fun fact: Some admission officers claim LORs are just as valuable as your GPA!
People write letters of recommendation to help an applicant stand out during the acceptance process by showcasing their best qualities from an outsider’s point of view.
- Complements your educational record with real-life examples of accomplishment
- Supports your university recommendation or scholarship application
- Provides additional verification required by colleges and universities
Who Should Write Your Letter of Recommendation for College?
Fun fact: You may be tempted to ask a famous person, but someone who knows you really well is a better choice!
Choosing the right person to write your letter of recommendation is more important than you realize. Colleges want to know how well your recommender knows your personality, goals and educational history. A well written, thoughtful and specific letter written by someone who knows you well will weigh bigger than a randon generic note on important stationery.
- School counselor: Typically necessary if you are requesting a university recommendation letter, especially in the US
- Subject teacher (ideally your teacher from class 11 or 12): Particularly if they taught a class related to your intended major
- Supervisor or coach: Discuss their involvement in leading, teamwork, and initiative outside the classroom
- Principal: A solid option if they have interacted with you personally or are aware of your accomplishments
- Project mentor or research guide: Best if you are a STEM applicant and had a solid study project
Comparison Table: Who’s a Good Recommender?
| Recommender | When to Choose Them | Good Fit For |
|---|---|---|
| School Counselor | Required in most school applications | General academic profile |
| Subject Teacher | Taught you recently & knows your work | Subject-specific wins |
| Principal | Knows your leadership or school-wide impact | Leadership/discipline-focused |
| Coach/Supervisor | Oversees extracurriculars or job roles | Sports, community work, part-time jobs |
| Research Guide | Mentored you in academic projects | Research-heavy or STEM fields |
Top 5 Tips to Write a Strong Letter of Recommendation
Fun fact: A strong letter of recommendation could be your golden ticket to top universities like Harvard, Oxford, or MIT!
If you’re a teacher or guiding one, writing a recommendation involves more than praising the student. Universities want specific details, achievements, and insights that align with the student’s chosen field.
- Add specific examples: Don’t simply say, the student is diligent; include an episode or gains.
- Include the applicant’s character: Describe how they work in teams, deal with challenges, and manage deadlines.
- Describe the applicant’s academic strengths with supporting evidence: For instance, a performance in a ACT or SAT or GRE-related experience.
- Discuss the student’s fit for the course: Why are they suited for the university or program they are applying to while submitting
- Include recommending person’s contact details: This will allow acceptance staff to address the reference properly.
Here’s a brief template to help your teacher get started:
To Whom It May Concern,
I am happy to write this letter of recommendation for [Student’s Full Name], who I have taught/supervised for [duration] at [school/organization name]. During this time, I have seen [Student’s Name] demonstrate considerable [abilities/qualities], including [specific example].
Because of [his/her] [academic interest] and ability to [achievement/accomplishment] ([he/she]) will be a good addition to [college/program]. I highly recommend [him/her] for admission and believe [he/she] will be a meaningful contributor to your student community.
Please feel free to contact me at [email address] for additional information.
Sincerely,
[Recommender’s Name]
[Title and Institution]
[Phone/Email]
How to Give Your Recommenders Inputs for Your LOR?
Fun fact: Many teachers receive dozens of requests and may need your help to personalize yours.
To ensure your teacher writes you a strong and unique letter:
- Share a copy of your transcript, resume, and statement of purpose
- Highlight specific achievements, interests, or career goals
- Let them know about the college or scholarship you’re applying for
How to Make it Easy for Your Recommenders to Write an LOR?
Fun fact: Teachers are more willing to compose a letter if you make their job easier!
You can improve the quality of your recommendation by:
- Sending an email requesting the letter well before the deadline
- Offering a draft letter or key points they can expand on
- Giving them a clear deadline and submission instructions
Why Should We Take Plenty of Time to Review Our LOR?
Fun fact: Last-minute LORs often contain errors or feel too generic to impress admission officers.
It’s important to leave enough time for editing, reviewing, and polishing:
- You may need to revise your recommendation letter with your teacher
- Admission officers look for clarity and structure in every letter
- Reviewing helps ensure every requirement for submission is met
Conclusion
Selecting the right person to draft a letter of recommendation is one of the most important pieces to a successful college application. There are many aspects in choosing the right person to actually asking for a letter of recommendation, providing input, and proofreading the draft.
Your teacher could be a teacher, a counselor, or another mentor, but they should know you really well and be able to write you a solid, well thought out letter of recommendation to support why you would be a good fit.
With plenty of time and preparation and expert guidance from Ambitio, you will be working with a letter of recommendation that will elevate your application.
FAQs
Who should write your letter of recommendation for college applications?
Knowing who should write your letter of recommendation can make or break your application. Ideally, who should write your letter of recommendation is someone who knows your strengths. Always choose wisely when deciding who should write your letter of recommendation.
How do I choose who should write your letter of recommendation for a scholarship?
To determine who should write your letter of recommendation for a scholarship, pick someone who understands your commitment and merit. The person who should write your letter of recommendation must provide evidence of your qualifications with real examples.
Can a family member be someone who should write your letter of recommendation?
Typically, a family member is not considered someone who should write your letter of recommendation due to conflict of interest. The person who should write your letter of recommendation should be a professional who can give an unbiased academic or character assessment.
Is a school counselor someone who should write your letter of recommendation?
Yes, a school counselor is often the person who should write your letter of recommendation, especially for US-based applications. Who should write your letter of recommendation depends on who can best describe your character and fit for the institution.
What if you’re unsure who should write your letter of recommendation?
If you’re unsure who should write your letter of recommendation, reflect on who has seen your progress and can write with credibility. Remember, who should write your letter of recommendation is someone who can be honest and specific.
Can a coach be someone who should write your letter of recommendation?
Yes, a coach can be a great choice when considering who should write your letter of recommendation. Especially for sports or extracurricular-focused applications, who should write your letter of recommendation should reflect your non-academic strengths. Choose someone who understands both your talent and discipline when selecting who should write your letter of recommendation.
Why is it important to think carefully about who should write your letter of recommendation?
Your success hinges on who should write your letter of recommendation, as colleges value authenticity and relevance. Think deeply about who should write your letter of recommendation based on the relationship and impact. A powerful LOR comes from someone trusted to write your letter of recommendation with conviction.
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