Kayla Friedland-Volz, WCC Foundation’s Manager of Advancement advised a good person for a recommendation letter is your professor. Going to office hours or participating in class can help create a strong relationship with your professor. Courtney Prielipp | The Washtenaw Voice
Yana McGuire
Deputy Editor
Whether you are applying for scholarships or transferring to a four-year university, securing a strong letter of recommendation is very important.
Most students are looking for as many ways to cover school costs as possible. One of the best ways to pay for college is by being awarded a scholarship because the money received does not require repayment. In addition, most scholarships are not taxable income as long as you use the money to pay for your tuition, fees, and other course-related expenses, according to the IRS.
In 2024, 80% of students used scholarships and grants to help pay for their education, according to Salle Mae. With so many students applying, some scholarship committees will use letters of recommendation as a way to distinguish one student from another and pick the best candidate. This letter is a very important step in the application process because it is an opportunity to showcase why you are the best fit and allow the committee to get to know you beyond your grades.
Requesting someone to write a recommendation for you may seem intimidating at first, but the following tips will help you get the most effective letter to get that money into your hands.
Ask someone who knows you well
Avoid asking family members or friends to write your letter. A review committee wants to hear from somebody that has/had seniority over you, like your boss or instructor, who knows you well enough to speak to your character and dedication, according to Kayla Friedland-Volz, WCC Foundation’s Manager of Advancement.
“We want to see somebody recommending you for a scholarship because usually that means that you’re a good person,” Friedland-Volz said. “You have a good head on your shoulders, and they want to see you succeed.”
If you are unsure of whom to ask or do not have anyone you know well enough to ask, building a good relationship with WCC instructors this semester is a great way to prepare for next semester’s applications, according to Friedland-Volz.
“Students should be visiting your professor during office hours at least once during a semester,” Friedland-Volz said. “Regularly going to their office hours is really key, or participating in class so that the professor recognizes your face.”
“It gives you a better relationship with your professor, so when you do end up sending that email (to request the letter), they’re like, oh, this student is actively engaged in my class, and I would love to write a letter for them,” Friedland-Volz said.
Formally request via Email
Writing a detailed request via email, in a polite and professional manner, is the most effective way to get the results you are looking for. This should be done at least a month before the deadline to give the person enough time to craft your letter. Include the application deadline and all other scholarship information in the email to make things easier for the writer.
“That way they (the students) have documentation of the request,” Friedland-Volz said. “Then in that request you could explain why you need the letter and tell them (the letter writer) what they should talk about. The student will be able to show their achievements (in the email) so that they can add them to the letter.”
If the writer agrees to write the letter for you, follow up a week before the deadline as a friendly reminder that the date is approaching. Once the letter is submitted, send a heartfelt thank-you email. After all, this person just helped you get one step closer to your dreams.
| Tips to obtain the perfect letter of recommendation |
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