Develop recommender relationships

Overview

Strong recommendation letters come from teachers who truly know you. Now is the perfect time to build those relationships — you'll be asking for letters in the spring!

Who Makes a Great Recommender?

• Teachers in core academic subjects (English, Math, Science, History, Foreign Language)
• Someone who has seen you grow, not just earn a grade
• Ideally, teachers from your junior year classes
• A mix of STEM and Humanities teachers provides good balance

Building the Relationship

• Participate actively in class — ask thoughtful questions
• Visit office hours, even just to discuss interesting topics
• Share your academic interests and goals when appropriate
• Ask for help on challenging assignments — this shows intellectual curiosity

Pro Tip

Keep a running list of meaningful moments in each class — projects you're proud of, discussions that inspired you, or challenges you overcame. This will be incredibly helpful when you create your "brag sheet" later!

Timeline

Start building these relationships now. You'll formally ask for letters in March or April, giving teachers plenty of time to write thoughtful recommendations.