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How do I write it? Any ideas? How large should it be? Where should I write it on? Paper? Postcards? Cardboards? Metal? When should I give it to my counsellor/teachers?

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 07:52 pm: Edit

You write it the way you would write a regular letter. You handwrite a note that says "thank you for taking the time to write my recommendation letter." You include anything else that you'd like to thank the teacher for, such as if the teacher has mentored you or inspired you. You sign your name. You either send it through the mail (you can send it to the teacher/counselor's school address) or put it into their box at school.

By Sophster (Sophster) on Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 09:21 pm: Edit

or thank them in person...

By Mikemac (Mikemac) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 07:31 pm: Edit

thanking in person is nice, but a letter is more traditional (although maybe becoming a lost art).

By Phantom (Phantom) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 09:33 pm: Edit

This may be a dumb question, but do you give them the thank you note before or after they write your recommendation? Before/after you get accepted? I'm clueless when it comes to etiquette and I don't want to hurt my teachers' feelings.

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 09:41 pm: Edit

You give them the note right after they write your recommendation. You don't wait until acceptances because that would be like saying that you only appreciated their efforts if the college accepted you.

When you do get acceptances, however, it's nice to give them a follow-up note that lets them know how you did with admissions, and that also thanks them again for their support.

For those who think that doing things like this is too much work, keep in mind that there are opportunities that come up freshman year in college in which it can be very helpful to have a recommendation from one of your high school teachers. Teachers are most likely to be willing to give such support if the students haven't kicked teachers to the curb after teachers wrote recommendations.