Asking for Recommendations

Most students enrolled in courses I teach are looking to transfer to a four-year school, and some will seek scholarships to help pay for their education. If you want to ask me for a recommendation, please consider the following:

  • Have you finished taking a class with me? I will only write a recommendation for someone when I have been able to observe their academic performance through an entire semester.
  • Did you get an A or a B in that class? A recommendation has to be an honest evaluation of your performance. If you did well in my class, I can include that in my recommendation.

In order to write a more personalized recommendation, there are a few items I would like you to include with your request:

  1. Have we met in person? If not, please e-mail me to arrange a meeting via Zoom. I would like to talk with you briefly before writing you a recommendation.
  2. If you had to write an essay or personal statement for your application, please include a copy.
  3. A current CV or resumé - I can speak to your strengths and future goals better if I know what you have done in the past to work toward them.
  4. An unofficial transcript - I know how you did in my class, but I would like to get a feel for your academic performance overall. 
  5. Let me know any other details you can about the application, but especially let me know the deadline it must be received by. I generally do not submit recommendations if they are due within one week of when you requested them, however you should still ask, in case I can make an exception.

Also, let me know what the outcome was of your application. Did you get into the schools you wanted? Were you able to get the support you needed? I like to hear about how your plan is progressing.

Please send all requested materials as attachments to my school e-mail account: tszabo@cerritos.edu