Letters of recommendation

[Sheaisland]

What and when is the best way to go about asking teachers for letters of recommendation? End of junior year or beginning of senior year?
Thank you!

 

[Craigb21]

I did it the end of my junior year to give my teachers a heads up! They were nice enough to write them before the end of June and I was able to complete my app early because of that!

Just be polite and tell them what you aspire to do.

 

[njshoreclassof2019]

I would recommend asking them towards the end of your junior year. This way they are ready when the application portals open up. My DD teachers were all able to submit prior to the end of the school year last year - so her application was completed by mid July. Takes a bit of the pressure off.

 

[Sheaisland]

Awesome thank you! So did you just ask the teachers if they would write recommendations when it came to that point?

 

[usnabgo08]

Don't forget that you have USNA teacher recommendations (English/Math) AND whatever letter of recommendations required from your nominating sources. It might be worth your while to review all nominating source applications (most MOCs have this year's requirements on their house.gov or senate.gov websites and can give you insight).

 

[candidate1997]

My son wrote a letter to each teacher he was asking for a letter of rec, explaining what he was doing and how he would be honored to have a LOR from them. He went to each teacher on the last day of his junior year, explained to them his future plans, and gave each a self addressed large envelope to mail them back to him in (for noms). He also explained in the letter that the rec letters would be done electronically for USNA and USMA and that it might help to look in their spam folder if they didn't get it by x date. Just a heads up: One of our MOCs required a Senior math instructor LOR, so he had to wait until after senior year started, and got to know this teacher before asking for a letter from him.

 

[AROTC-dad]

DS sent an email with his resume attached. He also added a link to the USNA website, and a brief explanation of his motivation to serve and how competitive it was. The link helps the teacher get the background needed to personalize his or her comments. The resume helps them get an understanding of his other achievements.

It is surprising how many teachers (especially out here in the west), have no real understanding of what a service academy is. DS's English teacher was one of these who had no real knowledge about USNA, whereas the math teacher was totally aware.

 

[Sheaisland]

These are all awesome ideas, I definitely have to look into the specifics of my MOC letters, but the resume is a perfect idea because my teachers don't know me too well out of the class room!

 

[alaska66]

Also, regarding teacher recommendations, confirm what email that they use (and will be checking) over the summer months. This will help expedite the completion of your application if you are working on it over the summer.

 

[1964BGO]

Not only would it be prudent to advise the teachers to expect notification via email therefore provide you with an email address to submit to the SA's, but also to check their spam folder(s) if the notification has not arrived by a certain date, and also to notify you of any problems they are encountering.

One of the lessons you will be learning through this process will be the value of attention to detail; it will stand you in good stead throughout you four years at any of the SA's as well as your time in the armed services.

Best wishes to all of you.