How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation: A Step-by-Step Guide (With Examples!)

Asking a professor for a letter of recommendation can feel awkward—especially if you’ve never done it before. But whether you’re applying for an internship, externship, job, or grad school, it’s something you’ll probably need to do. 

What should you say? When should you ask? And how do you make sure they actually write you a letter that helps you stand out? 

Don’t stress—we’ve got you covered. 

This guide walks you through exactly how to ask a professor for a recommendation letter, from choosing the right person to writing the perfect request email. Plus, you’ll get insider tips from real professors and email templates to help you get started with confidence.

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Why Does a Strong Letter of Recommendation Matter?

A well-written letter of recommendation can set you apart in competitive applications by showcasing your work ethic, skills, and potential from someone who has seen your abilities firsthand.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a strong recommendation can boost your chances of admission to graduate programs by a whopping 32%!

However, not all recommendation letters are equally effective. A rushed or vague letter can feel generic and uninspiring, while a detailed, personalized letter can make a huge difference in getting accepted into your dream program, job, or internship.

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Top Mistakes to Avoid When Asking Your Professor for a Recommendation

1. Making a Vague, General Request:

“One common mistake is not providing enough context about what the recommendation is for, or which specific skills or experiences you’d like highlighted,” says Professor Ecem Basak from Baruch College, New York. 

“It's really helpful if students provide me with a brief overview of their application, including the position, the company, and any specific aspects of their work that the company is particularly interested in. 

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“For instance, one student specifically mentioned that the company was interested in the skills they had gained from my class. Since I knew the student well, this detail really helped me tailor the letter to focus on the relevant skills. We even had a phone call toward the end of the process, and I was able to provide a more personalized reference. In the end, the student received the job offer.”

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2. Making No Effort to Interact With Your Professor In Class: 

The level of interaction you’ve had with your professor during class often translates to the quality of recommendation they will be able to write you. Your request for a good recommendation starts while you’re still in class with your professor. 

And it’s not all about grades—professors remember the students who showed up, engaged in class, and made an effort to build a rapport. On the flipside, if you spent the class being a wallflower, it’s possible your professor might not even remember you and might deny your request for a recommendation just because they can’t recall anything specific to say about your performance.

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3. Failing to Connect With Your Professor on LinkedIn: 

Your network is your net worth, and that starts right from the time you’re in college. You might think you’re too early on in your career to have a network, but the truth is you’re not. Your professors bring a wealth of knowledge and industry connections that you can tap into, your peers might be able to help you land an internship, and your school probably also has an alumni network you can tap into too! Don’t make the mistake of failing to stay connected with your professors.

“I always encourage students to connect with me on LinkedIn at the end of the semester,” says Professor Basak. “I let them know that I’m happy to provide a reference letter if they need one. This connection helps me keep track of their progress and allows me to have a clearer picture of their future goals.”

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4. Ghosting Your Professor After Asking Them To Recommend You: 

Ask any professor, and you’ll learn this is more common than you’d think! As you can imagine, this doesn’t feel great on the professor’s end — and it could mean you’re losing out too.

“I rarely have students follow up and say, ‘Hey, I landed that job, that internship, that whatever, and thank you for your help’,” says Lisen Stromberg, a Stanford University instructor. “I think it’s a huge missed opportunity. It's not about thanking me. It's literally about keeping me informed.” 

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How to Ask a Professor for a Letter of Recommendation

Often, ensuring you get a strong recommendation letter boils down to networking—how you ask your professor for one, and how you make a good impression is vital!

So what’s the secret sauce?

Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to pop the question and maintain that strong relationship for your career, from timing the asking to picking the right professor and following up.

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Step 1: Choose the Right Professor

Asking someone to recommend you can be daunting, so it follows that it’s most tempting to pick the nicest professor you have and go from there. But remember,  not every professor will be the best fit for writing your recommendation letter. Choose a professor who:

• Has a good opinion of you: This seems obvious, but take some time to reflect. Did you actually show up well in their class? Were you engaged? Did they give you positive feedback on your assignments? Or—gasp!—is it possible they don’t even know who you are?! It’s vital that your recommender has something positive to say about you and feels inspired to support your career journey.
• Actually contributed to your academic growth: Don’t just pick someone because you took their class. Select a professor whose class helped you level up, or who you’ve worked on a project with or assisted with research.
• Can speak positively about your skills: They should have a genuinely good impression of your work and have something to say about what you can bring to the table.
• Is relevant to your application: This is a big one! If you’re applying for a tech internship, a computer science professor makes more sense than your philosophy professor.
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📢 Pro Tip: If your professor happens to be an industry expert, then check out their background. Being able to explain to them exactly why you’re choosing to ask them can be very helpful. And having someone with industry experience in your corner can only help!

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Step 2: Make the Request as Early as Possible 

Professors are busy, and the last thing you want is a rushed, half-hearted recommendation. Give them time to write the letter so they can craft a thoughtful, detailed recommendation.

When to Ask:

• 4+ weeks in advance – For major applications (grad school, fellowships, competitive internships).
• 2-3 weeks in advance – For most internships, jobs, and scholarship applications.
• 1-2 weeks in advance (absolute minimum) – If it’s a last-minute request, be extra apologetic and accommodating.

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Step 3: Ask in Person and/or Send a Professional Email Request

How you make the ask if as important as making it. Make sure to show up professionally in every interaction, and be well-prepared. When sending an email, make sure it is:

• Polite and professional
• Clear and concise
• Replete with necessary details: Include deadlines, submission instructions, and any specific points you want highlighted.

📢 Pro Tip: Professors have a lot of students asking for recommendations, so when you reach out, it’s important to remind the professor of the specific class you shared together, as it helps them recall your performance.

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📩 Sample Email Request for a Letter of Recommendation

Subject: Request for a Letter of Recommendation

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I hope you're doing well! I’m reaching out because I’m applying to [specific opportunity: externship, grad school, internship, job, etc.], and I would be honored if you would write me a letter of recommendation.

I truly enjoyed [mention class or project], and I learned so much that I still apply in my work. Since you’ve seen my skills in [mention relevant subject or skills], I believe you would be the perfect person to speak to my abilities.

Please find attached bullet points highlighting my work and a copy of my resume. I am more than happy to do a Zoom meeting or meet in person to discuss this further if helpful! The letter should ideally focus on [mention key skills or experiences] and needs to be submitted by [date] via [submission process: email, online portal, etc.].

Thank you so much for your time and support—I truly appreciate it!

Best,
[Your Full Name]
[Your University & Major]
[Your Contact Information]

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Step 4: Make It Easy for Your Professor

This one is important, so pay attention!

Professor Stromberg emphasizes the importance ‘recognizing and honoring your professor’s time’ by making it easy for them to write a strong letter.

“Professors are swamped, and so anything a student can do to make a professor's life easier is fantastic,” she says. “I have literally had students draft a first draft and provide their resume, links to what articles they've written, links to research they've done and their LinkedIn. To me, that’s a great start, because if you’re going to ask for a favor then make it hard for me to say no!”

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Make your professor’s life easier by attaching or linking:

• Your Resume: Showcases your experience & achievements.
• Your Personal Statement (if applicable): Helps align the letter with your goals.
• Details About the Opportunity: So they know what to emphasize.
• Deadline & Submission Instructions: Avoid unnecessary back-and-forth emails.
• Notes on What to Highlight: So your recommendation fits well into the overall application you’re submitting for a specific opportunity.

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Step 5: Send a Reminder (If Needed)

If the deadline is approaching and you haven’t received confirmation, send a polite reminder about one week before, ideally on a Friday so they have a weekend to go over it.

📩 Example Reminder Email:

Subject: Friendly Reminder: Recommendation Letter for [Opportunity]

Hi Professor [Last Name],

I just wanted to follow up on my recommendation request for [specific opportunity], as the deadline is coming up on [date]. I know you’re busy, and I truly appreciate your time! Please let me know if you need any additional information from me.

Thank you again for your help—I really appreciate it!

Best,
[Your Name]

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Step 6: Don’t Skip the Thank-You

Once your professor submits your recommendation letter, send a thank-you note — seriously, don’t skip this step.

It doesn’t have to be long or elaborate. A short email or handwritten card goes a long way in showing that you respect their time and effort. If you want to go the extra mile, something thoughtful like a campus coffee gift card or a small treat is a nice touch (but totally optional).

Sample Thank-You Email:

Subject: Thank you for your recommendation letter

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I wanted to sincerely thank you for taking the time to write my letter of recommendation. Your support means a lot, and I truly appreciate your help in this process. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how everything turns out!

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]

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Step 7: Send an Update—Whatever Happens!

Once your professor has taken the time to write you a recommendation, don’t leave them hanging. Whether you landed the role or not, circle back and let them know how it went.

Yes, updating someone after a rejection can feel a little awkward. But ghosting the person who advocated for you? Way worse. Professors write letters because they believe in your potential — that belief deserves a follow-up.

Besides, sharing your progress helps nurture a long-term relationship. Professors often stay in touch with former students, write additional recommendations, or refer them to other opportunities down the line. The more they understand your interests and goals, the easier it is for them to keep you in mind when something relevant crosses their radar.

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So even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped, a simple “Thank you again for your support — I’ll keep you posted on what’s next” can go a long way.

“The really smart students then find me on LinkedIn and stay connected with me,” says Professor Lisen Stromberg. “They know the value of relationships and will occasionally ping me and say, ‘just wanted to bring you up to speed!’ with no attachment and no responsibility for me. That's so smart because then when they're job hunting, I actually know what they’re doing and can help. It’s a long game!”

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Final Tips for Asking a Professor for a Recommendation Letter

• Be clear and respectful. Professors are used to getting these requests — just be thoughtful in how you ask.
  
  
• Make it easy for them. Include your resume, deadlines, and any relevant context so they’re not left guessing.
  
  
• Ask early. A rushed request = a weaker letter (and a stressed-out recommender).
  
  
• Follow up once. A friendly nudge is fine, but don’t overwhelm their inbox.
  
  
• Always thank them. Whether it’s an email or handwritten note, gratitude is non-negotiable.
  
  

Asking for a letter might feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re thoughtful, organized, and sincere, most professors will be happy to support you. And who knows — that letter might just be the push that gets you in the door.

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