Asking a professor
Use this page when you need a clear, editable request letter for asking a professor.
SEO template page
Letter of Recommendation Request Letter
Use these letter of recommendation request letter templates to ask a professor, teacher, manager, mentor, or advisor for a recommendation politely and clearly.
Search intent
What this template is for
Users searching this keyword usually need a ready-to-send request letter or email that asks someone to write a recommendation before a specific deadline.
A strong request letter should make the ask easy to answer: name the opportunity, explain why you are asking this recommender, include the deadline, and offer supporting materials such as a resume, transcript, statement, job description, or bullet points.
Asking a manager
Use this page when you need a clear, editable request letter for asking a manager.
Scholarship applications
Use this page when you need a clear, editable request letter for scholarship applications.
Short deadline requests
Use this page when you need a clear, editable request letter for short deadline requests.
Polite Letter of Recommendation Request Template
Subject: Request for a Letter of Recommendation
Dear [Recommender Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am applying for [Program, Scholarship, Job, or Opportunity] and wanted to ask whether you would feel comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for me.
I thought of you because [Reason You Are Asking This Person], and I believe your perspective on my [Academic Work, Professional Skills, Character, or Leadership] would be especially meaningful.
The deadline is [Deadline]. I can send my resume, application details, draft statement, transcript, or any points that would make the letter easier to prepare.
Thank you very much for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Writing guidance
How to use this letter of recommendation request letter
Start by replacing each highlighted field with accurate details. The strongest recommendation letters are specific, easy to verify, and matched to the opportunity. Instead of using general praise only, include the applicant's role, the relationship between recommender and applicant, the length of time they have known each other, and one or two concrete examples that show ability, character, or growth.
Keep the tone appropriate for the audience. Academic committees usually value evidence of intellectual curiosity, writing ability, research potential, classroom contribution, and preparation for advanced study. Employers usually look for reliability, collaboration, ownership, communication, and measurable results. Scholarship committees often care about leadership, service, resilience, goals, and future impact. A personal or character reference should focus on trustworthiness, judgment, responsibility, and the context in which the recommender knows the applicant.
Before sending or downloading the final version, check that names, dates, program names, job titles, school names, deadlines, and contact details are correct. Remove any placeholder text that does not apply. A concise one-page letter is usually enough for simple applications, while graduate school, fellowship, medical school, law school, or senior professional recommendations may need more detail. Use the related template links below when your situation is closer to another search intent.
For best results, personalize the opening and closing paragraphs instead of leaving the template completely generic. Mention the exact program, scholarship, employer, department, or organization whenever possible. This helps the final letter feel intentional and improves the usefulness of the template for readers comparing many applications.
What to include
Include the recommender's relationship to the applicant, the target opportunity, specific strengths, examples, and a clear recommendation statement.
What to avoid
Avoid vague praise, exaggerated claims, missing deadlines, copied examples that are not true, and placeholders left in the final letter.
Best format
Use a clean letter format with greeting, introduction, evidence paragraphs, recommendation sentence, signature, title, and contact information.
More request templates
Letter of recommendation request templates for common situations
Use these additional samples when you need a more specific request for a professor, teacher, manager, scholarship recommender, quick email, or follow-up reminder.
Professor Recommendation Request Letter
Subject: Recommendation Letter Request for [Program Name]
Dear Professor [Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am applying to [Program Name] at [University or Organization], and I wanted to ask whether you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for my application.
I especially valued your course in [Course Name] and the feedback you gave me on [Paper, Project, Research, or Presentation]. I believe your perspective on my academic work and growth would be very helpful to the committee.
The recommendation is due on [Deadline]. If you are able to write the letter, I can send my resume, transcript, statement of purpose, program details, and a short summary of work I completed in your class.
Thank you for considering my request. I completely understand if your schedule does not allow it.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Email]
[Phone Number]
Teacher Recommendation Request Letter for Student
Subject: Request for a Student Recommendation Letter
Dear [Teacher Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am applying for [College, Program, Scholarship, or Opportunity], and I wanted to ask if you would be comfortable writing a recommendation letter for me.
I am asking because I learned a great deal in [Class Name], especially through [Project, Assignment, or Classroom Experience]. I think your view of my effort, growth, and participation would help support my application.
The deadline is [Deadline]. I can provide my activities list, application instructions, draft essay, and any details that would make the process easier.
Thank you very much for considering this.
Best,
[Student Name]
Manager Recommendation Request Letter
Subject: Recommendation Letter Request
Dear [Manager Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am applying for [Role, Program, or Opportunity] and wanted to ask whether you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me.
I thought of you because we worked closely on [Project, Team, or Responsibility], and your perspective on my [Skill, Leadership, Collaboration, or Results] would be especially relevant.
The letter is due by [Deadline]. I can send the job description, my resume, application details, and a few notes on projects we worked on together.
Thank you for considering my request. I appreciate your time and support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Scholarship Recommendation Request Letter
Subject: Scholarship Recommendation Letter Request
Dear [Recommender Name],
I am applying for the [Scholarship Name], which supports students pursuing [Field, Goal, or Community Impact]. I wanted to ask whether you would be willing to write a recommendation letter for my application.
I believe your perspective would be valuable because you have seen my work in [Class, Project, Volunteer Role, or Job]. The scholarship committee asks recommenders to comment on [Leadership, Academic Ability, Service, Character, or Potential].
The deadline is [Deadline]. I can send the scholarship description, my resume, draft essay, and a few points about my goals.
Thank you for considering my request and for your support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Short Recommendation Request Email
Subject: Recommendation Letter Request
Dear [Recommender Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am applying for [Opportunity] and wanted to ask whether you would feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for me.
The deadline is [Deadline]. I would be happy to send my resume, application details, and a short summary of points that may be helpful.
Thank you for considering it.
Best,
[Your Name]
Follow-Up Request Letter After No Response
Subject: Following Up on Recommendation Letter Request
Dear [Recommender Name],
I hope you are doing well. I wanted to gently follow up on my request for a recommendation letter for [Opportunity]. The deadline is [Deadline].
I completely understand if your schedule is too full. If you are still able to write the letter, I can send all supporting materials again and make the process as easy as possible.
Thank you again for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Related searches