Ever felt super awkward asking a professor for a rec letter? Here’s how I did it!

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I was super nervous about asking my professor for a recommendation letter, but I finally did it! Here’s how I approached it that made things way less awkward.

First, I shot them an email that included a brief reminder of the class I took with them, why I’m applying for this opportunity, and a deadline for when I needed the letter. I also attached a one-page brag sheet to give them a little more context.

The game changer? I made sure to include a polite line saying I completely understood if they were too busy to help out. This way, they could decline without feeling pressured. I think it really helped ease the tension, and they seemed relieved by the option!

What has worked for you all? Any other tips for asking professors?

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