How to Get Strong Recommendation Letters

Who to ask

Choose people who know your work well: a professor who supervised your project, or a manager who saw your results. A short, detailed letter from someone who knows you beats a vague letter from a famous name.

When to ask

Ask at least four weeks before the deadline. Teachers are busy, especially near the end of the semester.

What to send them

• The scholarship name, link and deadline.
• Your CV and your motivation letter.
• Two or three things you would like them to mention, such as a project, a grade or a skill.
• How to submit: some portals email the referee directly.

After they submit

Send a short thank-you message and tell them the result. You may need their help again.