As many colleges shift from test-based admissions, there will be an increased focus on soft skills, essays, extracurriculars, and, in particular, letters of recommendation.

These letters are a window into your character and who you are as a person. Do you help others? Are you constantly tinkering with novel and innovative ideas? Are you as passionate about the program as you say you are? How have you demonstrated this interest in the past? Are you a leader among peers?

These are all of the questions your recommenders can answer and then some. The bigger question now is how do we know which individuals are best suited to write strong letters of support?

This vetting process can feel diplomatic at times or at the very least like a game of Guess Who so the more heuristic approaches you can employ the better your chances are of securing strong letters.

An ideal recommender is one who can provide an intimate and firsthand account of their experiences with you and testify to your strengths as a scholar. You want these individuals to have seen you in the trenches and grow in the face of adversity and challenges.

However, this level of familiarity requires a significant amount of time, and while there is no threshold to indicate when these relationships become viable, a good rule of thumb is at least a full year and preferably two or more in order to provide them with enough opportunities to observe you.

You also want these individuals to be related to the program you’re applying to so if you’re interested in medicine then consider a science teacher (i.e., anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology) or doctors you have shadowed.

Additionally, it goes without saying that you should be on good terms with these individuals. If you are unsure then be open and honest about it and ask if they would be willing to write a strong letter of support on your behalf. If there is hesitation then that is a good indicator to look elsewhere. 

To avoid these types of situations always put your best foot forward. This means participating in discussions, attending every class, meeting during office hours, and volunteering for extra shifts. If you like a particular teacher and the opportunity permits, enroll in another class they teach or join a club they advise.

Keep in mind that there will likely be other students competing for the same recommenders, especially if they are popular, and since each person can only write so many letters for so many students it is best to reach out between June to September (2-5 months early).

You want to choose wisely because most universities will only allow three letters so be deliberate in this selection process. 

It is also good practice to pick a diverse group of recommenders to highlight the many facets and roles you have. For example, choose a relevant teacher to reflect your academic grit and risk-taking, supervisor for your work ethic and character, and adviser for your persistence and drive.

It is important to note that in rare cases, some recommenders will ask you to write your own letter of recommendation while they edit it at a later time. I’ve known some applicants who had this arrangement and even signed the FERPA waiver as an added bonus to reap the benefits of “not knowing what was written in the letter.”

Ask yourself these questions to ease the selection process:

• “How long have I known this person?” 
• “Does this person know me well?”
• “Do we have a positive working relationship?”
• “Is this person best suited to articulate my strengths and achievements?”
• “Has this person seen me succeed in the face of challenges?”
• “Does this person have my best interests in mind?”
• “Is s/he fully invested in my cause or are there competing interests and other commitments?”
• “Is there at least one great anecdote or instance s/he can refer to?”
• “Is this person related to my course of study? If not, what benefit does this person offer that is not otherwise available by more pertinent individuals?”

The three individuals that best meet these criteria are worth considering seriously and are good candidates to write your letters of recommendation.

Below is a checklist I suggest every applicant follow from the time they are freshmen to when they are ready to apply as seniors.

It’s Easy as 1-2-3

1. Before You Apply

• Determine what industry you are interested in (i.e., business, healthcare, law, technology).
• Join club organizations and/or apply to internships related to this industry.
• Narrow your sights to potential recommenders (i.e., club advisers, counselors, supervisors, teachers).
• Network and establish good professional relationships early.
• Do your best to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Start by thinking about what careers you are interested in. Is there a common denominator? If so, narrow your focus to extracurriculars related to this industry.

For example, if you are loosely interested in a career as an anesthesiologist, orthopedic surgeon, physical therapist, psychiatrist, or pharmacist then consider extracurriculars related to healthcare.

Note: Keep in mind that you do not need to know exactly what it is you want to do for the rest of your life, nor is it expected, because you can always refine it over the years. However, you do need to have a general idea or at least enough interest to decide on an eventual major.

Once you have chosen a few extracurriculars, enter with the mindset of finding potential recommenders early on. This means honing in on a select few individuals and doing your best to impress them. 

And remember to always put your best foot forward and go the extra mile because these are the people you want a recommendation so leave a good impression!

Related: Want to learn which extracurriculars are worth your time? Check out this article to find out.

Related: Looking for an expertise? Check out this article to find yours.

2. While You Apply

• Make a list of potential recommenders and rank them (i.e., 1-5).
• Reach out in person or by email.
• Request a meeting to go over specific details and expectations.
• Provide personal notes of your accomplishments, extracurriculars, awards, work experience, and academic/occupational goals. It is also a good idea to bring your transcript and resume.
• Set certain times to remind them of upcoming deadlines (i.e., two weeks before the due date).

When you are ready to apply, prepare a list of potential recommenders ranked by preference. This way, you have alternatives in the event some are unable or decline.

Approach the top three on this list and ask whether they would be willing to write you a strong letter of support. If they agree, then proceed to set up a meeting to go over expectations and application materials.

Tip: Ask if they know you well enough to write a strong letter of support. This way you give them the opportunity to decline if they are uncomfortable while simultaneously protecting yourself from low-quality letters.

This is also a great opportunity to go over personal details, transcripts, resume, and notes. These notes should serve as a crash course into your academic life as well as any other information they should know.

Remember to be proactive and start early because letters will take some time to write. I recommend aiming for at least a month and don’t forget to send a friendly reminder two weeks before the deadline.

Tip: It is better to err on the side of caution and finish early than to scramble last minute due to poor planning.

3. After You Apply

• Write each recommender a personalized “thank you” letter.
• Continue to update them on new developments as they come, regardless of the decision. 

Once your last application is submitted, your job still isn’t over. Continue to update them with any changes in your status because remember they didn’t have to take time out of their schedule to write you a letter only to hear crickets later on so return the favor out of courtesy.

You also don’t know when you will need to call on them again so it would be unwise to burn this bridge. For example, I still rely on recommenders from my undergraduate years for educational and employment opportunities.

That’s it, good luck! And regardless of the outcome, remember to keep your head held high because a college decision isn’t an indication of your worth or capacity to succeed. Just continue to work hard and something better will fall into place.

Related: Want to go to an elite university? Check out this article to learn why community college may be your best shot.