When my seniors return to school, they have an important task to do: following up on their letter-of-recommendation requests. While they’ve been busy this summer finalizing their college lists, describing activities, and polishing essays, the LOR follow-up needs to happen soon.

Before I started college advising with Two Bridges College Consulting, I taught AP English Language and Composition, journalism, and newspaper production. I have written scores of recommendations, and I know how you should and should NOT ask for one.

Give your teachers space for the first week of school. They’re having to adjust from summer mode to school mode just as you are. Wait until Week Two.

If you’ve already talked to teachers about recommendations in the spring, read Part A. If you haven’t asked anyone yet, read Part B.

Part A. For seniors who talked to their teachers in the spring

Step 1. If you obtained yeses from recommenders back in the spring, don’t assume that they remember agreeing to write a letter for you. Stop by to see them at a time when they aren’t too busy, such as right before or after school. DO NOT interrupt a teacher’s class or walk in on them at lunch. (Teachers can get pretty rowdy outside of class. You don’t want to hear them blowing off steam!)

Politely tell them that you’re working on your applications and that you’re happy they’d agreed to write a recommendation for you. Tell them where you’re applying. Then ask what they’d like to have from you. Some teachers want a résumé. I asked for an essay. Here’s the prompt I gave:

Why do you think that I would write you a good recommendation? Include at least one anecdote about our interactions. The more personality-revealing details you give me (things that aren’t on your transcript or résumé), the better my recommendation can be written. Words like “integrity,” “hard work,” and “perseverance” mean little without evidence to support them.

Step 2. Follow up with a politely written email thanking them for doing you this favor. (Writing recommendations isn’t usually part of the official job description.)

Any time you send an email, make sure that the tone is appropriately respectful, that it has all the relevant information, and that you have proofread for sentence structure, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. Sign it with your first and last name. (Now’s a good time to think about your email address: Handles like “Ih8school@aol” or “eatslugs@gmail” won’t look good to colleges or set the right tone for formal correspondence.)

The email should include a respectful form of address (“Dear Ms. Doe” or just “Ms. Doe” and a comma), your thank-you for agreeing to provide your recommendation, and an idea of when the recommendation needs to be submitted (“I’m applying Early Action to Super U. and the deadline is November 1, but I hope to have everything in by October 15”). Tell them when they can expect to get the materials they’ve requested (it should be very soon).

Step 3. Give the teacher at least two weeks to write the recommendation.

Step 4. You don’t get to see what the teacher has written, but if you’ve selected wisely, you can assume it will focus on the positives. Once you see that the letter has been uploaded, at the very least, write an email (following the suggestions in Step 2) thanking them for the recommendation. Later, when all your recommendations are in, write formal thank-you notes in pen on real paper notecards and, if you wish, give a small gift, but gifts are not necessary or expected. Most teachers just want to know you appreciated the time and care they put into your recommendation.

Part B. But what if you haven’t asked anyone yet?

Don’t panic – here’s how to start from scratch:

Step 1. Think carefully about who would give you the best recommendations. The teachers should know you well and in a positive light. This doesn’t mean you’re limited to teachers who have given you A’s; one who can attest to your curiosity, your work ethic, your perseverance, or your contributions to discussion will be a good teacher to ask.

Rarely should the teacher be from 10th grade or earlier—unless you’ve had a continuing relationship. For example, if you had Mr. Gilmore for 10th-grade history and haven’t talked to him since, he’s not a good choice. But if Mr. Gilmore is your class sponsor and you’ve been an active class officer year after year, he would be fine. Colleges prefer to see recommendations from 11th and 12th grade teachers of core courses—English, science, math, social studies, world languages. If you do ask your art teacher for a recommendation, there should be a good reason for doing so, such as planning to major in graphic design.

Step 2. Ask the teacher in person. Don’t designate anyone as a recommender in Naviance until you’ve talked to them and received a yes. Stop by to see them at a time when they aren’t too busy, such as right before or after school. Ask them what they’d like to have from you.

Step 3. Follow up with an email. See Step 2 in Part A.

Step 4. Give the teacher at least two weeks to write the recommendation.

Step 5. Follow the directions in Step 4 of Part A.

Good luck, seniors. Keep in mind that you are asking the teacher for a favor, and act accordingly—with respect and gratitude.