Many things require letters of recommendation, including grad school, scholarships, jobs. At some point  in a college career a student will need to ask a professor to write one.

There’s a right way, and a wrong way to do this. University professors get asked to write many letters of recommendation, so make sure you’re asking the right person for the correct reasons.

Here are three things to consider before asking a professor for a letter of recommendation.

1. Make sure you stand out in class

     Chances are your professor sees hundreds of faces a day, so make sure you are standing out among the faces. Don’t ask a professor for a recommendation if you do just enough to get by in class. You want your professor to recognize who you are, but you want your professor to recognize you for the right reasons. According to University of New Haven professor, Paul A. Casella, a student asking for a letter of recommendation should have a relationship with a professor in some way, or the student should have been outstanding in class performance. Casella said that before asking,  a student should be fairly confident they will receive a “yes.” If you are not confident you will receive an enthusiastic “yes” from a specific professor, it is probably better to ask someone else. This leads to

2. Choose wisely

    Depending on the job you are applying for, choosing which professor to write a letter can be crucial. If you are applying for a job in marketing, it may be better to ask your business professor, as opposed to your art professor. Also, do not choose a professor just because of their name alone. They may be well known in a certain industry, but if they do not know you well enough to be a reference, turn to someone who does. As says Indeed, an employment related search engine, “you should consider those with whom you had the most interaction, succeeded in their class or were particularly involved in your education in some way. The more they can specifically attest to your work as a student, the better the recommendation will be.” A recommendation letter can make or break your outcome, better to ask a professor who cannot only speak on your accomplishments and work ethic, but your personality as well.

3. Have multiple references in mind

    Even if everything is done right, there is always a chance of rejection. Don’t take this personally, sometimes professors are too busy to write recommendation letters, or they are already backed up writing others. According to Indeed, you should gather a list of 5-10 references. Having multiple references in mind is a great back up plan and will leave you with less stress at the end of the day.