Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation provide colleges with insight into your character, achievements, and potential from the perspective of someone who knows you well. Here’s how to ensure you receive strong and impactful letters.
Choosing Recommenders
Overview:
Selecting the right recommenders is crucial to ensure that your letters of recommendation highlight your strengths and potential effectively. The ideal recommenders should know you well and be able to provide specific examples of your accomplishments and character.
Tips:
- Teachers:
- Who to Choose: Select teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects, such as English, math, science, or history, especially in your junior or senior year. They should be able to provide specific examples of your achievements and contributions in their classes.
- Why It Matters: Teachers who have seen your growth, participation, and engagement can offer detailed insights into your academic abilities and work ethic.
- Counselors:
- Role: Your school counselor can provide a comprehensive overview of your academic and personal growth throughout high school. They can discuss your overall performance, extracurricular involvement, and how you have developed over the years.
- Why It Matters: Counselors often have a broader perspective on your high school experience, including any challenges you’ve faced and overcome, making their recommendation particularly valuable.
- Other Mentors:
- Who to Choose: Coaches, employers, club advisors, or leaders of extracurricular activities can provide additional perspectives on your skills, leadership abilities, and character.
- Why It Matters: These recommenders can speak to your qualities outside the classroom, such as teamwork, leadership, initiative, and other personal attributes that are important in college.
Resources:
Requesting Letters
Overview:
Requesting letters of recommendation involves thoughtful planning and clear communication. A well-prepared request can help ensure that your recommenders write strong, detailed letters.
Steps:
- Ask Early:
- Timing: Give your recommenders ample time to write a thoughtful letter. Ideally, ask at least a month in advance of your first application deadline.
- Why It Matters: Teachers and counselors often have multiple letters to write, especially during the college application season. Asking early ensures they have enough time to craft a strong, personalized letter.
- Provide Information:
- What to Include: Give your recommenders a resume, a list of your accomplishments, a copy of your transcript, and details about the colleges you’re applying to. Include specific examples of your work or achievements you’d like them to mention.
- Why It Matters: Providing this information helps your recommenders write more specific and tailored letters, making their recommendations more impactful.
- Be Polite and Professional:
- How to Ask: Write a formal request, whether in person or via email, explaining why you are asking them and what you hope they will include in their letter. Follow up with a thank-you note after they’ve submitted the letter.
- Why It Matters: A professional and polite request shows respect for your recommenders’ time and effort, which can result in a more thoughtful and positive recommendation.
Resources:
What Makes a Strong Letter
Overview:
Strong letters of recommendation provide specific examples and insights into your abilities, achievements, and character. They should paint a comprehensive picture of who you are as a student and a person.
Components of a Strong Letter:
- Specific Examples:
- Importance: Detailed anecdotes that illustrate your skills and achievements make the letter more credible and engaging.
- Examples: A teacher might describe a project you excelled in, a challenge you overcame, or your contribution to a class discussion.
- Personal Insight:
- Importance: Insights into your personality, work ethic, and character provide depth to the recommendation. They help the admissions committee understand your unique qualities beyond grades and test scores.
- Examples: A counselor might discuss your leadership in a school club or your dedication to community service.
- Academic Performance:
- Importance: Information on your performance and contributions in class shows your academic abilities and potential. It highlights your strengths in specific subject areas and your readiness for college-level work.
- Examples: A teacher could detail your analytical skills in history essays or your innovative approach to science experiments.
Resources:
Follow-Up
Overview:
Following up after requesting letters of recommendation is an important step to ensure they are submitted on time and show appreciation for your recommenders' efforts.
Steps:
- Send Reminders:
- Timing: Politely remind your recommenders a week before the deadline to ensure they have enough time to submit the letter.
- Why It Matters: A gentle reminder helps prevent any last-minute rush and ensures your applications are complete.
- Thank You Notes:
- Importance: Send a thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their time and effort. It’s a courteous way to acknowledge their support.
- How to Do It: Write a brief but sincere note or email thanking them for their help. Mention how much you appreciate their willingness to support your college application process.
- Inform Them of Outcomes:
- Why It Matters: Let your recommenders know the results of your applications and thank them again for their support. This shows respect and appreciation for their role in your college journey.
- How to Do It: A follow-up note or email after you receive your college decisions can make a great impression and maintain a positive relationship for future opportunities.
Resources:
By following these tips, you can ensure that your letters of recommendation are strong, detailed, and submitted on time, providing a crucial boost to your college application.