If you are required to have letters of recommendation, always ask the person first if they would mind writing a letter of recommendation on your behalf and tell them which scholarship you are applying for. Be sure to tell them when it needs to be completed by, which needs to be at least one week before the scholarship deadline.

It helps them to have your resume while they look for ways to showcase your strengths, so be sure to provide the resume at the time that you make your request. It is also helpful to provide a stamped envelope with the scholarship address neatly written on the envelope for them to drop in the mail. Local scholarship letters of recommendation can be given to Mrs. Riddle, so there is no need to include a stamp as long as you tell the people you request the letters from to hand them to Mrs. Riddle.

If you prefer to ask the same people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf for multiple scholarship applications, ask them if they would mind printing multiple copies and hand them the appropriate number of envelopes with addresses written on them and stamps included if necessary.

These people are taking time out of their day to help you. Be sure to express your appreciation to them. Also, if they decline to write a letter on your behalf, please understand that there are many reasons for people to do this: mainly, it is that they don't have much time, or they don't feel like they know you well enough. Simply thank them for their time and find someone else to ask.

Pond Creek-Hunter