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How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation

Barak Alder news editor emeritus

A letter of recommendation can make or break career plans, so it’s crucial to have a strong one.

Ask someone who really knows you

Letters written in vague terms, even by higher-ups like deans, may help you less than letters written by people with a better understanding of your personality.

Choose someone who has recently interacted with you

A professor who taught you three semesters ago likely has less to say than one with a more recent memory of your work.

Don’t request the letter last minute

Recommenders may be unable to prepare a strong letter under short notice, and, due to conflicting responsibilities, some occasionally limit the number of letters they will prepare at a given time. Recommendation requests at least four weeks prior to an application deadline should leave sufficient time to avoid these risks.

Ask someone who has seen you work in a professional setting

Strong letters of recommendation typically address an individual’s work ethic, ambition, and/or intellectual hunger; professional contacts―bosses, professors, or coworkers―tend to serve as the most credible sources of this information. However, if an application process specifically requests a personal recommendation in addition to an academic or professional one, it may be appropriate to enlist a close friend or relative for a recommendation as well.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

The college offers five associate degrees, the certificate of proficiency and the certificate of specialization. Degrees can be completed in two years of full-time attendance. Certificates usually can be completed in one or two semesters. Here is a list of degrees that STLCC offers for students.

The associate in arts degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college and work toward a bachelor’s degree.

The associate of arts in teaching

degree is designed for students who plan to transfer to another college and work toward a bachelor’s degree in teacher education.

The associate in fine arts degree is offered jointly with the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is designed for students who plan to transfer to UM-St. Louis and earn a bachelor of fine arts degree.

The associate in applied science

degree helps students develop practical and theoretical skills that prepare them for entry-level jobs.

The associate in science degree

is designed to transfer to a particular institution in a specialized area.

The certificate of proficiency is for persons whose intended job does not require an associate degree. It also is for persons who wish to gain additional information/ skills in a particular subject area.

The certificate of specialization is for persons who desire information/skills in a specific area, usually related to a current job.