A reference letter is the only part of your application you do not write. A specific letter helps you, and a generic one ("responsible student, pleasure to teach") does little. Most of the difference is in how you ask.
Who to ask
The person who knows you best, not the person with the best title. A teacher who watched you struggle and improve writes a better letter than a principal who knows your name. These are good candidates.
- A teacher whose class connects to the award (science teacher for a STEM award, English teacher for an essay-heavy one).
- A coach, club supervisor, or volunteer coordinator who has seen you take responsibility over time.
- An employer, if you have held the job for a while. For local awards especially, a shift supervisor who trusts you is strong evidence.
Check the award's rules first, because some specify a teacher, some exclude family, and some want two different perspectives. Schulich Leader Scholarships go further and require a school nomination before you can apply at all, while the David Bentley High School Excellence Award and the Empowered Young Woman Award both want a letter from someone who has watched you over time.
When to ask
Three weeks before the deadline, minimum. Teachers get many of these requests in October and November, and a letter written the night before shows it. If a big fall award like Loran is on your list, ask in September.
How to ask
Ask in person or by a short, direct message, such as "I'm applying for [award]. It rewards [thing]. Would you be comfortable writing me a strong reference?" Asking for a strong reference gives a lukewarm referee an easy way to say no.
What to hand them
Give every referee a one-page package.
- What the award is and what it rewards, in one sentence.
- The deadline and exactly how to submit (portal link, email, or a form).
- Three specific things they have seen you do, with details. You are not writing the letter for them. You are handing them the evidence so their letter can be specific.
- What you plan to study and why, in two sentences.
We keep a fill-in version of all four messages (the ask, the one-page package, the reminder and the thank-you) on one page, the reference letter request template. Copy it, replace the brackets, send it.
Afterwards
Send a reminder a few days before the deadline, and a thank-you after, win or lose. You will likely need the same person again in the spring round of local awards (the Kelly Creaghan Stepping Up in the Community Award and the ATB Financial Bursary both ask for one).