Do You Need a Recommendation Letter? How to Ask Professors Without Stress

Recommendation letters feel… awkward.

You know they can be important, but the whole idea of asking a teacher or professor to “say nice things about you” can feel super uncomfortable.

Questions that usually pop up:

• Do I actually need a recommendation letter for this scholarship?
• Who should I ask?
• What if they say no?
• What if they forget and I miss the deadline?

Let’s make this simple.

In this guide, we’ll go through when you need a recommendation letter, who to ask, how to ask (with example messages), and how to follow up without feeling annoying.

First: Do You Actually Need a Recommendation Letter?

Not every scholarship needs a recommendation letter. Some do, some don’t, and some say “optional.”

1. When It’s Required

If the scholarship clearly says something like:

• “Upload 1–2 recommendation letters”
• “Letter from a professor/employer is mandatory”

…then yes, you need one. No way around it.

In that case, your goal is to get at least one strong, specific letter from someone who actually knows you.

2. When It’s Optional

If it says:

• “You may include a recommendation letter (optional)”

Ask yourself:

• Do I have someone who can write something specific and positive?
• Will their letter add something new that’s not already obvious from my grades/CV?

If yes → it’s worth including.
If no → it’s better to skip than to send a very generic letter.

3. When There’s No Mention of Recommendation Letters

If the application doesn’t ask for it at all, you usually don’t need one.
Focus your energy on what is required: essays, CV, documents, etc.

Quick rule: If they don’t ask, don’t stress. If they do ask (or allow it), aim for quality over quantity.

Who Should You Ask for a Recommendation Letter?

You don’t need a famous person. You need someone who:

• Knows you and your work
• Has seen your effort over time
• Can be specific about your strengths

Good people to ask:

• Teachers or professors (current or recent)
• Thesis supervisor or academic advisor
• Internship or job supervisor
• Project/club adviser or coach (if relevant to the scholarship)

People to avoid:

• Family members
• Close friends
• Random “important” people who barely know you

Tip: It’s better to have a letter from a “normal” teacher who loves your work than from a famous professor who barely remembers your name.

When Should You Ask? (Hint: Not Three Days Before the Deadline)

The earlier, the better.

• Ideal: 3–4 weeks before the deadline
• Minimum: 2 weeks (still okay, but a bit tight)

Your recommender also has a life: classes, research, family, emails, emergencies. If you give them only a few days, they might:

• Say no
• Rush and write a weak, generic letter

Neither helps you.

If you already know you’ll be applying for multiple scholarships, you can ask them once, explain that you’re applying to several programs, and share a list of deadlines.

How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter (Without Making It Awkward)

Let’s get to the part everyone hates: actually asking.

You can ask in person or by email (email is usually safest because they have everything in writing).

Example Email Template (Formal but Friendly)

Subject: Recommendation letter request for scholarship application

Dear [Professor/Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I am applying for the [Scholarship Name] to study [Program/Field] at [University/Country], and the application requires a recommendation letter from a teacher/professor.

I really enjoyed and learned a lot from your [course name] class in [semester/year], especially [brief detail – topic, project, or experience]. Because you’ve seen my work and progress, I wanted to ask if you would feel comfortable writing a recommendation letter for me.

The deadline for submitting the letter is [date], and the scholarship focuses on [e.g., academic performance, leadership, community involvement]. I’ve attached my CV and a short summary of my activities and goals, as well as more information about the scholarship.

Please let me know if you’re able to help with this. I completely understand if your schedule is too full at the moment.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,
[Your full name]
[Your study program / school]
[Your email + phone]

Shorter / More Casual Version (for a teacher you know well)

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’m applying for the [Scholarship Name] to study [program/field], and they’re asking for a recommendation letter. Since you know me from [class/project/etc.], I was wondering if you’d feel comfortable writing one for me.

The deadline is [date], and I can send you my CV + info about the scholarship to make it easier.

If it doesn’t fit your schedule right now, no worries at all — I completely understand.

Thank you so much either way!
[Your name]

What If They Say No (Or Don’t Answer)?

If someone says no, don’t panic and don’t take it personally.

Common reasons they might refuse:

• They don’t feel they know you well enough
• They’re too busy and don’t want to promise something they can’t deliver
• They don’t think they’re the best person to support this specific application

This is actually good: a forced or weak letter is worse than no letter.

If they say no or don’t answer:

• Thank them (if they replied)
• Move on quickly to someone else
• Ask another teacher, supervisor, or mentor who knows you better

Important: You deserve a recommender who wants to support you, not someone you have to beg.

Final Tips for Stress-Free Recommendation Letters

To keep this whole process calm and manageable:

• ✅ Ask early (3–4 weeks before the deadline)
• ✅ Choose people who actually know your work
• ✅ Make it easy: send CV, info, and clear deadlines
• ✅ Use polite, simple language — you don’t need to sound “fancy”
• ✅ Follow up once or twice if needed, not every day
• ✅ Don’t take rejections personally; just find a better fit

You don’t need ten letters.
You need one or two solid, honest ones from people who believe in you.

Want Help Preparing to Ask for a Recommendation?

If you feel stuck, Schology can help you:

• Decide who to ask for a recommendation
• Draft or polish your request email/message
• Create a simple “info package” (CV + short profile) to send to your recommender

👉 Check out our Recommendation & Application Support services if you want someone to walk through this with you, step by step.