Asking Ghanaian teachers for US recommendation letters
Ask two teachers from your final years who know you well, plus a counsellor or headteacher, at the start of your final year. Ask in person, then give each a one-page note on what you did in their class and your plans. Many Ghanaian teachers have never written a US letter, so explain what one looks like: specific, personal and honest. Never write the letter yourself, even if asked to.
How do I ask for a recommendation letter?
In person, early, and with help. Ask two teachers from your final years who know you well, plus your counsellor or headteacher, at the start of your final year. Then give each a short note about what you did in their class and what you plan to study, so they can write specifically.
A strong letter does something your own application cannot: an adult who has watched you work tells the reader what you are like. That is worth taking care over.
Who should I ask?
Usually three people:
| Recommender | Who | What they add |
|---|---|---|
| Counsellor | Your college counsellor, or the headteacher or assistant head acting as one | You in the context of the whole school |
| Teacher 1 | An academic teacher from SHS 2 or SHS 3, ideally in your intended field | You as a learner in their subject |
| Teacher 2 | Another academic teacher from your final years, ideally a different subject | A second view of you in class |
Choose teachers who know you well, have seen you work over time, and can describe specific moments. A form master or subject teacher who has taught you for two years is often a better choice than a headteacher who knows you only by name.
Some universities accept an optional extra letter, from a coach, employer, pastor or imam. Send one only if it adds something the others cannot.
When should I ask?
At the start of your final year, and at least six weeks before your first deadline. For November deadlines, that means asking in September. Teachers write letters around their own teaching and marking, and an early request gives them time to write well.
Once a teacher agrees, invite them through the Common App so they receive the email and can set up their account. Our guide to the Common App from Ghana explains how.
What should I give my recommenders?
A one-page note of facts, so they can write specifically. Include:
- Your name, class and the subjects they taught you.
- Two or three moments from their class: a project, a question you asked, a time you helped others, a topic you went beyond.
- What you plan to study, and why.
- Your activities, briefly.
- Your deadlines, and how the Common App will contact them.
Keep it to one page. A long document full of praise for yourself is harder to use than a short list of facts, and it can feel like pressure. Print a copy as well as sending it, as some teachers prefer paper.
The note is a reminder, not a script. It helps a teacher with many students remember the details that make a letter come alive.
What does a strong US letter look like?
Specific, personal and honest. Many Ghanaian teachers have written references for jobs or Ghanaian universities, but not a US recommendation. A US letter usually:
- Describes the student through examples, not just adjectives. "She asked why the formula worked, then showed the class a second proof" says more than "she is brilliant".
- Compares the student with others the teacher has taught, where honest: "one of the three strongest students I have taught in ten years".
- Covers character as well as ability: curiosity, kindness, leadership, resilience.
- Runs to about a page, on school letterhead where possible.
You can share this list with a teacher who asks what is expected. Do not tell them what to say about you.
What should the counsellor's letter cover?
The whole of you, in the context of your school. Teachers describe you in their classroom; the counsellor, or the headteacher acting as one, describes you across the school and at home. A good counsellor letter usually covers:
- Your school: what it offers and how you used it. This works with the school profile, which our guide to explaining Ghanaian grades describes.
- How you compare with others in your year, where they can say so honestly.
- Your character and contribution to school life.
- Any circumstances that affected your studies, such as family responsibilities, if you have agreed they should mention them.
Give the counsellor the same one-page note as your teachers, plus your activities list. They often know you less closely than a subject teacher, so the facts matter even more.
How do I follow up, and say thank you?
Check in politely, and thank them properly. In early November, look in the Common App to see which letters have arrived. If one is missing a week before a deadline, remind the teacher kindly, in person if you can.
After your decisions arrive, tell each recommender what happened and thank them, in writing. A short handwritten note matters. They gave their time to your future, and they will write for other students after you. A teacher who feels thanked writes the next letter more willingly.
Should I waive my right to read the letters?
Yes. The Common App asks whether you waive your right to see your letters after you enrol. Waive it. Colleges generally give more weight to confidential letters, and teachers write more freely when they know you will not read them.
What if my teacher is not comfortable with the system?
Offer to help with the technology, not the content. Show them the Common App email, help them create an account, and explain where to upload the letter. If your school has no counsellor, the headteacher acting as one may need the same help.
Some teachers may prefer to write by hand. Ask whether the school can type and print it on letterhead, then upload a scan. The words must be theirs; the format can be helped.
What should I do first?
Choose your two teachers and your counsellor this week. Ask each in person, then send them your one-page note within a few days.
If you would like help preparing the note or choosing your recommenders, you can book a call with us.
Questions people ask
How many recommendation letters do US universities want?
Usually two from teachers and one from a counsellor, sent through the Common App. Some universities accept an optional extra letter, such as from a coach or employer. Check each university's requirements.
Which teachers should I ask?
Teachers from your final two years, in academic subjects, who know you well. Ideally one should teach a subject related to what you want to study. A teacher who knows you beats a famous one who does not.
When should I ask for recommendations?
At the start of your final year, at least six weeks before your first deadline. Teachers write many letters and have their own work, so early requests get better letters.
My teacher asked me to write the letter. Should I?
No. A letter you wrote is not a recommendation, and universities treat it as dishonest. Offer your teacher a one-page note of facts instead, and ask them to write the letter in their own words.