Requesting a Letter of Recommendation 请求一份推荐信
By: Beth McKenzie
Letters of recommendation have become a very important component of college applications in the past few years. The letters they receive from your teachers enables the admissions departments to see an applicant from a whole new perspective. In fact, a survey1 from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) in 2017 revealed that some colleges consider these recommendations more important and influential in their decision-making process than extracurricular activities or the interview!
在过去的几年里，推荐信已经成为大学申请中一个非常重要的组成部分。招生办从老师们那里收到的推荐信可以让他们从一个全新的角度来看待一位申请者。事实上，2017年美国大学升学顾问委员会 (NACAC)的一项调查显示，一些大学认为这些推荐信在他们决策过程中的重要性和影响力超过课外活动或面试!
Teachers and counselors who write these letters provide valuable insights into a student’s capabilities, achievements, personality, and their impact in classroom discussions and/or class projects.
写这些推荐信的老师和升学顾问对一个学生的能力、成就、个性以及他们在课堂讨论和/或课堂项目中的影响提供了宝贵的见解。
Your teacher’s and counselor’s letters can make the difference in a college’s final decision. The problem is, they receive so many letter requests each year that it is difficult for them to remember the specific characteristics of each student. And often these letters are an additional workload for them.
你的老师和学校升学顾问的推荐信会对大学的最终决定产生影响。问题在于，他们每年都会收到很多推荐信的请求，以至于他们很难记清每个学生的具体特点。并且通常这些信件对他们来说是额外的工作。
Knowing this, it is crucial for YOU to take steps to politely ask for letters and to show gratitude once the letters are completed.
了解到这一点，重要的是你要积极主动、礼貌地请他们写推荐信，并在事后表示感谢。
Below are tips and guidelines to help ensure that you get the most positive letters possible from your teachers.
下面是一些提示和指南，可以帮助你从老师那里获得最积极正面的推荐信。
Tip #1: Ask early!
提示#1： 早点请求！
Asking early is the key to receiving a thoughtful and personalized letter. Again, teachers receive a lot of requests. They are always more energized and enthusiastic writing the first 10 than the last 10. You do not want your recommender to be writing your letter when they are feeling rushed or stressed. For rising seniors, now (that is, the end of the junior spring semester or over the summer) is the right time to be making requests.
获得一封内容周全、有个性化的推荐信的关键在于早点请求。再次强调，老师们会收到很多推荐信请求。他们写前10封信总是比写后10封信时更有活力和热情。你不希望自己的推荐人在匆忙之中或压力重重的时候为你写信。对于即将升入12年级的学生来说，现在(也就是11年级春季学期或暑假期间)是提出推荐信请求的最佳时机。
Tip #2: Use polite etiquette when you ask.
提示#2：提出请求时要有礼貌
The best way too ask for a recommendation is in-person. Send your teacher an email or ask them after class if you could meet with them about a letter of recommendation. First, and most important, be sure and tell them WHY you asked them. For example, you learned so much in their class, you loved the projects you did in the class, you appreciated their feedback on your writing, etc. This is a professional approach because it signals that you respect your teacher’s personal schedule and want to reserve a private space for talking about something that is important to you.
提出请求的最好方式是亲自出面。给老师发一封邮件，或者在课后问他们是否可以和他们面谈，请他们写一封推荐信。首先，也是最重要的一点，一定要告诉他们为什么请他们写推荐信。例如，你在他们的课上学到了很多东西，你喜欢在课上做的那些项目，你欣赏他们对你作文的反馈，等等。这是一种专业的做法，因为这表明你尊重老师的个人日程安排，你想预留一个私人空间来谈论对你很重要的事情。
Also, remember that you are, in fact, asking. This task is extra work beyond the teacher’s or counselor’s duties, so you are asking them for a favor. This means that the teacher has the right to refuse if they do not feel comfortable writing for you, or if their schedule will not allow. Sometimes, if you wait and ask to late, they will tell you that they are already booked. If it happens, do not despair. Talk with your Interface counselor about alternative options.
另外，要记住你实际上是在提出请求。这是超出老师或学校升学顾问职责范围的额外工作，所以你是在请求他们的帮助。这意味着如果老师不想为你写推荐信、或者他们的日程安排不允许的话，他们有权拒绝。有时候，如果你等到很晚才提出请求，他们会告诉你日程已经排满了。如果出现这种情况，不要绝望。和你的顾瑞顾问探讨其他的人选。
Tip #3: Give your recommender material to work with.
提示#3：为推荐人提供写作素材
Ideally, you will select recommenders who have many memories and impressions of you to draw on for inspiration but AGAIN, they are writing a LOT of letters. It is your job to help them out. You should take an active role in providing the most important information that you want admissions departments to know about you.
理想情况下，你会选择那些对你有很多回忆和印象的推荐人，从记忆中汲取创作灵感，但是再次强调，他们要写大量的信件。你要做的是帮助他们。你应该积极主动地提供一些你想让招生办了解的关于你的最重要的信息。
Interface has created a very specific process for our students to help you share all the important details you want included in your letter with your recommender. Our brainstorming document helps you think about:
顾瑞为我们的学生创建了一个非常具体的流程，帮助你在为推荐人提供的素材中包括你想要包含在信中的所有重要细节。我们的头脑风暴文件可以帮助你思考:
*How have I contributed to classroom discussions and lectures?
我对课堂讨论和讲座有何贡献?
*What types of projects did I do in this class that the recommender can talk about?
我在这门课上做过哪些推荐人可以谈论的项目？
*How have I interacted one-on-one with the instructor?
我与导师是如何进行一对一互动的？
*What your extracurricular activities am I doing that is related to the topic of the class?
我正在做哪些与这门课程主题相关的课外活动？
Your Interface counselor or Customer Service representative will provide you with the document you need to brainstorm ideas. You should thoughtfully fill it out, then take your ideas and create a letter to give to your teacher once they agree to write you a letter.
你的顾瑞顾问或中方客服代表老师将为你提供头脑风暴所需的文件。你应该仔细填写，当你的老师同意为你写推荐信后，把你的想法写在邮件里发给你的老师。
Tip #4: Express your gratitude
提示#4： 表达你的感激之情
By now it should be clear that letters of recommendation can be a lot of work for teachers and counselors. It is customary to thank them for their thoughtfulness and thoroughness. A handwritten thank you note is the most thoughtful gesture. A small token of appreciation, like a gift card for a free coffee or a couple fresh flowers could also be nice. A sincere expression of gratitude will thank them, not only for writing your letter, but also for being an impactful part of your education.
到现在我们应该清楚地知道，推荐信对于学校老师和升学顾问来说可能是一项繁重的任务。我们要感谢他们的体贴和周到。手写的感谢卡是最贴心的举动。一份表示感恩的小礼物，比如一张免费的咖啡礼品卡或几束鲜花也不错。不仅感谢他们为你写推荐信，也为他们对你教育过程中产生的影响献上真诚的感恩。