I need to write a letter of recommendation for myself.

Do I need to give my teachers something when I ask them to write me a letter of recommendation?

• *Just to clarify. I mean a college LOR, I'm currently a senior in high school (as of today, actually) I want to ask my AP Lit teacher to write me a LOR since I'm going to have her now for two years. I had her sophomore year and now senior year. I've done well in her class and I'm pretty sure she likes me (and hopefully remembers me). She had mentioned today that if we needed a LOR to give her a 'resume' and she'd do it. But a resume of WHAT exactly? Is it common for teachers to ask for a resume? Do I need to give her anything? I have a list of schools I want to apply to but I'm not positive what I want to major in. Is this going to affect asking for a letter? I was always under the impression that a LOR was just the teacher's opinion of the student and why they're suited for college and whatnot. Sorry if I sound really ignorant, I would ask my teacher but I don't want to look stupid in case this is common knowledge :/

• Answer:

  1) ASK them first if they will please right you a letter of recommendation (you need to get their ok) and do not ask someone to write you a letter of recommendation if they either do not like you, or do not know you well. I asked two ex-teachers to write me a letter of recommendation for a scholarship. They said sure. Then they asked me what I was going to major in. (Was not necessary; they just wanted to know it in case they had anything relevant to mention about it.) Anyways, 5 days later they both had types up a letter of recommendation; one of the letters wasn't too impressive (had the guy as a teacher for several classes, he just didn't my personality except for the girl who didn't say much but did her work and got good grades in the classes and the girl who didn't get into trouble. BUT I didn't have much choice but ot ask him as one of the letters had to be from a teacher in the area I plan on majoring in, and my former math teachers either a) was a long time since I had them as teachers or b) they weren't teaching at the school anymore. HOWEVER, for my other teacher (who I picked by complete choice) was an English teacher who new me pretty well. Only had 2 classes with him but they were interactive classes so everyone got to know everyone fairly well. His letter of recommendation was AMAZING. (he also mentioned my quietness but he made that into a very good thing somehow) Needless to say I did get the scholarship. Points: 1)only ask teachers who know you well; if they don't know you well they won't have much to say about you. 2) personally tell them thank you or write them a thank you card (tell them thank you after they tell you sure, I'll write you a letter of recommendation; once they have completed the letter, then tell them thank you again, but try to make it more sincere 3) If their letter of recommendation got you accepted into a school or got you a scholarship then write to them giving them a HUGE thank you and how you realy enjoyed having them as a teacher (be specific though, not general; they need to know that you are talking to and about them).