Can you ask the same professors for letters of recommendation?

Asked by: Quentin Russel  |  Last update: October 24, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (54 votes)

If you're applying to multiple opportunities, it's totally okay to ask the same person for multiple letters because they can reuse their writing and submit it to any position you apply to.

How do you ask a professor to reuse a letter of recommendation?

You should explain to them why you are asking them for another letter, but you do not need to convey desperation. Most recommendation writers are happy to help people in your situation. Except if it happens three years later, you'd better think of what they can add to the original version.

Can professors reuse letters of recommendation?

You may be able to reuse letters of recommendation. However, many grad schools ask the letter-writer to submit the letter directly, so you will have to ask your writers to re-submit their letters each time you apply to a new program.

How many times can you ask the same professor for a letter of recommendation?

You should request him or her to prepare a general draft of the letter applicable for all universities you are applying for and then discuss for edits with professor and tell them about which universities they need to post the attested copy of the letter. You can ask them as many times you want.

Can you ask the same teacher recommendation for multiple colleges?

Can I Reuse Letters of Recommendation Multiple Times? Definitely! Reusing one teacher's recommendation for multiple colleges can save you much time and is an intelligent way to handle the process.

Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

21 related questions found

Can you ask a professor for a letter of recommendation twice?

If you're applying to multiple opportunities, it's totally okay to ask the same person for multiple letters because they can reuse their writing and submit it to any position you apply to.

How many teachers can I ask for a letter of recommendation?

It's best to submit two teacher recommendations from either your junior or senior year. One should be from an English teacher, and the other can be from a different discipline, depending on the area you think you may study. Your high school counselor should write the third recommendation letter.

Is 3 weeks enough for letter of recommendation?

Start early. Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation. Most faculty and staff are very busy and have numerous recommendations to write, so you want to be courteous.

Can a professor deny a letter of recommendation?

One of the most important things to remember before writing a recommendation letter is that you can say no. If you feel you have bad experiences with the student and won't be able to provide the glowing recommendation they need, you can deny their request.

Is it better to have 2 letters of recommendation?

Familiarize yourself with the different requirements among schools and pay close attention to their instructions. Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don't overdo it. If a school wants two recommendation letters, only submit two.

Can you ever read your letters of recommendation?

You're allowed to request and get copies of your letters of recommendation unless you've signed a waiver giving away your right to access them (you can still ask for the names of the references).

Can professors tell if you reuse a paper?

Most institutions have an internal database of previously submitted student papers. Turnitin can check for self-plagiarism by comparing your paper against this database. If you've reused parts of an assignment you already submitted, it will flag any similarities as potential plagiarism.

How to ask an old professor for a letter of recommendation template?

My name is [Your Name]. I took your [name of class and when you took it]. I'm applying to [name of school and program], and I'd like to ask you to write a letter of recommendation for me. I'm asking you because [reason why you are asking this person] and think your letter would be a strong addition to my application.

How do you ask for a recommendation again?

To follow up, send a polite email asking about the status of the letter. You may also politely remind the writer about the upcoming due date. If you don't hear back from the writer within two or three days, call or visit him or her personally.

How to get letters of recommendation if you don t know anyone high school?

What to Do if You Don't Have Anyone to Write You a Recommendation Letter
  1. Reach out to your academic advisor. ...
  2. Reach out to former professors. ...
  3. Ask your boss (or former boss) ...
  4. Take a class and build a relationship. ...
  5. Talk to Admissions.

Is faking a letter of recommendation illegal?

That's right: not just “against the law,” but an actual crime. The definition of criminal fraud, in a nutshell, is lying in order to obtain something of value. Well, a job is something of value, and passing someone off as a professional reference when they're not is a lie.

Can you be sued for a letter of recommendation?

Under California law, a former employer who provides a positive reference can also be sued by a future employer for negligent misrepresentation, if the employer omitted, or misrepresented, negative information about a former employee and that former employee later causes physical harm to someone else in the workplace.

Is it illegal to write a bad letter of recommendation?

Many states have legislation that provides employers with qualified immunity when providing a reference in good faith, protecting them from civil liability. However, employers can still face lawsuits if they provide a reference in bad faith, relaying untruthful information about an employee to a potential employer.

Is one month too late to ask for a letter of recommendation?

Three weeks is the minimum acceptable notice; one to two months is appreciated. Insufficient notice is a common reason that recommenders decline to write for students! A little secret: graduate admissions committees will forgive late letters of recommendation. They won't forgive late applications to their program.

Is 10 days enough time for a letter of recommendation?

It's helpful to ask them to write you a letter well in advance of your application's due date. It may be beneficial to provide those recommending you with a minimum of three weeks to write your letter and submit it, so they have enough time to devote to the writing process.

Is 2 months enough time to ask for a letter of recommendation?

The first step in requesting a letter of recommendation involves timing. Even for seasoned teachers and counselors, each individual letter takes time and thought to do well. I recommend asking your recommenders at least a month before your application deadlines. In some cases, even earlier is better.

Do recommendation letters have to be from current teachers?

You can definitely submit additional recommendation letters from people who were not your teacher in school. For example, if you are applying for a fine arts major, you may want to (And may be required to) also submit letters from your art teacher, voice teacher or piano teacher.

Which teachers should I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Be sure to select a current teacher or one from your junior year, preferably one who knows you well. Don't choose teachers you had several years ago, since colleges want to know who you are and what you are like now. Teachers who know you outside of the classroom are a good choice.

How many teacher recommendations do you need for Harvard?

First, let's start with the basics. We require two letters of recommendation. You may submit up to three. We strongly recommend that at least one letter of recommendation come from an academic source.