When applying for scholarships offered by the Selected Educational Trust, one of the most important tools to set your application apart is your letters of recommendation. Below is some guidance to aid you in requesting an impactful letter of recommendation.

Key Guidelines for Requesting Recommendations

• Select Wisely: The most effective letters of recommendation are written by teachers, mentors or supervisors who know you well enough to describe your academic, personal, or professional achievements and potential with candor, detail, and objectivity. 
• Give Ample Time: Request at least 4-6 weeks before the deadline to allow for a thoughtful, high-quality letter.
• Provide Context: Letters that provide specific details are the most valuable. Give the recommender as much information as possible to help them craft a letter that fits the terms of the specific scholarship and that will showcase you in the best light. Here’s a list of items to share with the recommender when you request the letter:
  – A link to the scholarship details
  – Your resume
  – Your transcript/GPA
  – A list of your accomplishments, specific skills that you excel in, professional achievements, academic achievements, awards that you’ve received, any relevant volunteer work or groups that you belong to, etc.
• Make it Easy: Provide clear, written instructions on how to submit the letter and the deadline. Letters should be on letterhead and signed with a wet signature if possible.
  For all Trust scholarships, letters must be uploaded into your online scholarship application. The maximum file size is 5MB and accepted file types are: .doc, .pdf, .jpg, .docx, .txt, .jpeg.
• Follow Up: Send a polite reminder a week or two before the deadline if needed.
• Send Thanks: Always send a thank-you note, and inform them of the outcome.

Sample Faculty Request

Below is a sample letter template that you may use when requesting a letter of recommendation. This template is specifically crafted for requests from your instructors, but can be modified as needed depending on who you are requesting a letter from. For example, if you are requesting a letter from an employer or mentor, you will not necessarily need to introduce yourself in the same way at the beginning of the letter, and your bulleted list would include specific projects and responsibilities you had under their employ/mentorship. They could also most likely speak more to your character and skills like leadership, work ethic, etc.