Guide to Letters of Recommendation

Guide to Letters of Recommendation 

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Not all, most colleges though ask you to submit a letter of recommendation to support your application for admission. Admission officers read these letters seeking to supplement their knowledge of your academic performance and aptitude with concrete evidence that you will enhance the culture on their campus. A letter of recommendation ties your application together. It should expand on your scholastic performance, extracurricular accomplishments, and personal character thus presenting a comprehensive assessment that compliments your application. So, letters of recommendation can be a difference maker.

Read this guide carefully, and choose your recommenders wisely!

Scholars should start thinking about who they will ask to write these letters during their junior year. Your list of potential recommenders is due to program staff the summer prior to your senior year. Consider asking a school administrator, school counselor, teacher, boss/supervisor, coach, religious leader, or club sponsor. It is important to choose your recommenders wisely. The title of the person recommending you is not as important as how well the person knows you. Also, you need to ask those who write well and know what to include in a letter of recommendation. (A worksheet to help you decide who to ask is provided by the Senior Program. A second worksheet to help you prepare your ask is provided by the Senior Program.)

Review the applications for the colleges on your target list to identify if letters of recommendation are required. If they are, learn the requirements of each college. If letters of recommendation are not required, then you do not need to submit them. If you do submit one, understand that it probably will not be read or used in the decision making process.

There are different types of recommendations including, but not limited to, counselor recommendations – (letter or form), teacher recommendations, and peer recommendations. If a college requests a counselor recommendation, it typically provides a counselor recommendation form in which case a separate counselor’s letter is not required.

Some colleges may ask for one or two letters of rec and allow you to select who will write your letter(s) while other colleges will provide specific instructions. For example, a college may require the letter to be written by a core academic teacher or a teacher you had as a junior or senior. If the college sets restrictions on who must write your letter, be sure you follow the college’s instructions. Think about your goals when deciding whom to ask for a recommendation. For example, if you are seeking acceptance into a science program, strongly consider asking your science teacher to write your letter. If you have the opportunity to select your recommenders, choose at least one from an academic setting.

A letter of recommendation that will be most helpful to you must include detailed examples, anecdotes, and stories that personalize your application while providing a clear reason why professors should want you in their class.

Many times colleges will ask you to sign a statement waiving your right to read letters of recommendation. Although you are not required to waive your right to read your letters, colleges and

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recommenders prefer you sign this waiver, as it provides a more open and honest exchange of communication. Let your recommender know your decision when you ask him/her to write your letter.

Stay organized! Use the worksheet entitled, “Who Should I Ask to Write my Letters of Rec?”

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Steps to Asking for a Letter of Recommendation o When possible, ask the recommender in person.  Ask the recommender a minimum of two weeks before your letter is due. Give the popular teachers (you know who they are) who are asked to write the most letters, additional time.  Ask your counselor as soon as you decide to apply to a college that requires a counselor rec form/letter.  Talk to the recommender, and share your reasons for asking him/her and give this person the opportunity to ask you questions. o If the recommender agrees, provide him/her with the following:  A letter explaining why you asked him/her – helps the recommender to remember your conversation; include the date you need the letter; provide instructions on how to submit the letter – electronically, etc.; if the letter must be mailed, ask the teacher/coach/administrator to write it on school letterhead.  A list of the colleges, to which you are applying. Students seeking recommendations for specific programs or scholarships should provide info about them to the recommender.  A copy of your activities resume  The Crosby activity sheet that indicates what you hope he/she will include in the letter.  It is fine to check in with this person to see if the letter has been sent or to see if he/she needs additional information. o After the letter has been submitted, write a thank you note. When you receive your admission decision, let your recommender know – use this opportunity to thank him/her a second time!

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Steps to Asking for a Counselor to Complete a Recommendation Form o Review the counselor recommendation form to be sure you have provided the counselor with the information he/she needs to complete it – you can view this form on the college’s website – it is often available for download o When possible, ask the counselor in person  Review the form with him/her and answer any questions especially if you are applying to a school that is not as well-known o Give the counselor as much advance notice as possible – a minimum of two weeks o Provide the counselor with your most current resume and list of awards, recognition, special honors Letters of recommendation and counselor recommendation forms are frequently submitted electronically, which requires the applicant to list the email address of the recommender on his/her application for admission. The university will email a unique URL to the recommender to use to submit his/her letter or form. Colleges often accept letters of recommendation up to two weeks after the application deadline. Review the submission policy at each school on your target list that requires letters of recommendation. Often the status of electronically submitted letters of recommendation can be found online in your college specific portal. Do not list a recommender on an admission or scholarship application without asking the person first.

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