When is too early to ask for a letter of recommendation? There is a certain teacher I would like to ask, and it would make sense for me to ask for one now instead of later. However, I am unsure if it could be deemed too early, or if I will need to reach out to the recommender when submitting my application to have them submit their portion.

10

6 comments

  • Better to ask sooner rather than later since teachers are busy. I sent my request back in August and told the professors my plan to take the test this past January. They both got them submitted by end of December

    0
  • Thursday, Jan 23

    Can't go wrong with asking now. I'll be applying in the fall and have already asked one professor to write a letter for me. Even if it's just an email saying 'I'll be applying to law school in the fall, would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me.' I plan on reaching out with more details for them around summertime, but there's no harm in asking now. It gives them more time to think and potentially write a better letter for you.

    2
  • Thursday, Jan 23

    Teachers/writers don't like being rushed since they are overloaded with other letters and work related stuff. I gave my professors over 5 months to write them and I gave them a deadline and year I was applying (they turned it in within a month or two). I asked them right after the semester ended so they'd have a fresh perspective of me as a student and that also helps them not forget who you were. So the earlier the better in my opinion.

    2
  • Thursday, Jan 23

    I'm also curious

    0
  • Thursday, Jan 23

    Commenting because I'm also curious

    0
  • Thursday, Jan 23

    Hi I'm also curious about this, let me know if you find out anything.

    1

Confirm action

Are you sure?