Requesting a recommendation letter from a professor can feel daunting, but it’s a crucial step for graduate school applications, job opportunities, and scholarship pursuits. Professors are often busy, so making the request as smooth and easy as possible significantly increases your chances of receiving a strong letter. A well-crafted request respects their time and provides them with everything they need to write a compelling recommendation. This article provides 23 sample request letters to guide you through the process.
The key to a successful request is preparation. Before reaching out, identify professors who know you well and can speak to your strengths, academic abilities, and work ethic. Gather your resume, transcript, statement of purpose (if applicable), and any specific requirements for the letter. Clearly outline the purpose of the recommendation, the deadline, and any specific aspects you’d like them to highlight. Providing this information upfront streamlines the process and allows them to focus on writing a impactful letter.
Remember to personalize each request. Avoid generic emails and address the professor by name. Briefly remind them of your relationship – perhaps a specific course you took or a project you worked on together. Express your gratitude for their time and willingness to consider your request. Follow up politely if you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe. A thank-you note after receiving the letter is also a thoughtful gesture.
These examples will show you the proper approach. Remember that these are just templates, adapt them to your specific situation and relationship with the professor. Ensure you provide context and details relevant to your unique circumstance for a truly impactful recommendation.
23 Recommendation Letter Request Samples for Professors:
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application to the [Program Name] program at [University Name], with a deadline of [Date]. I remember enjoying your [Course Name] class greatly in [Semester/Year] where I learned about [Specific Topic]. I developed my skills in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2] in that class.
I have attached my resume, transcript, and a draft of my statement of purpose for your review. Please let me know if you are able to write a letter for me. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am applying for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name], and I was hoping you might be willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I recall your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year] and I think your insights from that course helped me a lot when working on [Project]
The deadline to submit the letter is [Date]. I’ve attached my resume and the job description for your reference. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you in good health. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship, due [Date]. I enjoyed learning about [Specific Topic] in your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
I have attached my application materials, including the scholarship requirements. Please let me know if you are able to support my application. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you’re doing well. I’m applying to [Graduate Program/Job] at [Institution/Company] and would be honored if you’d write a letter of recommendation for me. I remember your [Course Name] in [Semester/Year] being particularly influential, especially your lectures on [Specific Topic].
The deadline for submission is [Date]. I’ve attached my resume, a draft of my [Statement of Purpose/Cover Letter], and any specific instructions for the letter. Please let me know if you’re able to help. Thank you!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for my application to [University Name]’s [Program Name] program. The deadline for submission is [Date]. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be your student in [Course Name] during the [Semester/Year] semester.
Please find attached my resume and a brief personal statement. If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out to you today to request a letter of recommendation for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. The deadline for submitting the letter is [Date]. I value the lessons I learned in your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
I have attached my resume and a detailed job description for your review. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship. The submission deadline is [Date]. I remember your insightful lectures on [Specific Topic] in the [Course Name] course I attended during [Semester/Year].
I have included my application materials and the scholarship guidelines. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am applying for [Graduate Program/Job] at [Institution/Company] and I was hoping that you might be able to write a letter of recommendation for me. I still remember our discussions on [Specific Topic] during your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
The deadline is [Date]. My resume, draft [Statement of Purpose/Cover Letter], and specific instructions for the letter are attached. I would really appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you to request a letter of recommendation for my application to the [Program Name] at [University Name]. The deadline for the submission is [Date]. I am so thankful for what I learned in your [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
Please find attached my resume and personal statement. If you need any other information from me, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to you today to request a letter of recommendation in support of my application for the [Job Title] at [Company Name]. The deadline for letter submission is [Date]. I learned so much from you during my [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
I have attached the job description and my resume. I would be very grateful for your help.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship, and the deadline is on [Date]. Thank you for teaching the [Course Name] class in [Semester/Year].
Attached is my application for the scholarship and other requirements. Your letter of recommendation will surely help me greatly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to request a letter of recommendation for [Graduate Program/Job] at [Institution/Company]. The deadline for submission is on [Date]. Your class on [Course Name] in [Semester/Year] taught me so much.
I have attached my resume and statement of purpose. Please let me know if you are willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am hoping you are doing well. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation from you for my application to [Program Name] program at [University Name]. The deadline is on [Date]. I learned a lot of things from your course on [Course Name] during [Semester/Year].
I have attached my resume and personal statement. Let me know if you need more details from me.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I am writing to request you to write me a letter of recommendation for a [Job Title] at [Company Name]. The deadline for the letter is on [Date]. I still remember you teaching [Course Name] class on [Semester/Year].
I have attached my resume and the job description. Your support would be a great help.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am requesting a letter of recommendation from you for the [Scholarship Name] on or before [Date]. I learned a lot from your [Course Name] during [Semester/Year].
Please see attached files containing the application for the scholarship and other necessary requirements. I will be very grateful for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you for a letter of recommendation for the [Graduate Program/Job] at [Institution/Company] to be submitted on [Date]. You taught me a lot during our class on [Course Name] during [Semester/Year].
I have already attached my resume and statement of purpose. Thank you so much!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I’m reaching out to request a letter of recommendation for a [Specific Type of Role – e.g., research assistant position] at [Name of Organization/Lab]. The deadline is [Date]. I found your lectures on [Specific Topic] in [Course Name] particularly insightful and believe the knowledge I gained will be beneficial in this role.
I’ve attached my resume and a description of the role. Would you be willing to write a letter supporting my application? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I trust this email finds you well. I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for my application to [Name of Program/Opportunity]. The deadline for submission is [Date]. I recall you emphasizing [Specific Skill/Concept] in [Course Name] during [Semester/Year], which I have since applied to [Specific Project/Experience].
I have attached my CV and a brief summary of the application requirements. Please let me know if this is something you would be able to do.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you’re having a good week. I’m currently applying for the [Scholarship/Fellowship Name] and would be very grateful if you could write a letter of recommendation on my behalf. The deadline is [Date]. Your advice on [Specific Topic] during [Course Name] was incredibly helpful when I was working on [Project/Assignment].
I’ve included the application instructions and my resume for your review. Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. I am applying to the [Program Name] at [University Name]. The deadline for submitting the letter is [Date]. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from you in [Course Name] during [Semester/Year]. I learned [Specific Skill/Knowledge] from you during the semester.
Please find attached my resume and personal statement. If you need any more information from me, feel free to ask!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am applying for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name] and was wondering if you would be available to write a letter of recommendation. The deadline for this is on [Date]. I really loved your [Course Name] class and learned so many things. I still remember our group projects on [Topic] that we had to do.
Attached is my resume and the job description. Please let me know what you think! Thanks again.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I am requesting a letter of recommendation from you for the [Scholarship Name] scholarship by [Date]. Your lessons and lectures on [Course Name] was amazing and helped me a lot during [Semester/Year].
Attached are the application and other requirements. I would greatly appreciate your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Dear Professor [Professor’s Last Name],
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to ask you to write a letter of recommendation for my application to [Graduate Program/Job] at [Institution/Company], which is due by [Date]. Your teachings on [Course Name] was incredibly impactful on me during the [Semester/Year].
I have included my resume and statement of purpose. Please let me know if there are any details that I may need to provide.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
In conclusion, crafting a thoughtful and well-prepared request for a recommendation letter is essential. By tailoring your message, providing relevant materials, and respecting the professor’s time, you significantly increase your chances of securing a strong and effective letter that supports your goals. Remember to always follow up with a thank you note after the letter has been submitted.
