Letter of Recommendation

What is a letter of recommendation?

The letter of recommendation is another chance for colleges and/or scholarship committees to learn more about you as a person, like your college essay, but this time from a second-hand perspective. The recommendation should either deepen and complement an existing element of your application or add an entirely new element into the mix.

Most colleges and some scholarship applications will require two recommendation letters from faculty along with a letter from your representative counselor. Make sure you’re getting your letter writer all the information they need and are setting them up for success (what are you applying for, qualities that you would like to highlight, etc). Creating a activities sheet that detailed all the things that you did in school: honors, awards, and accomplishments and submitting it to the letter writer make their job of highlighting what a great student and person you are easier. If you don’t send them an activities sheet, send them something else or have a chat with your letter writer.

All the while, be grateful. Teachers don’t get paid extra to write letters of recommendation, so make sure that they know you’re appreciative and thankful.

Who can write you a letter of recommendation?

Consider teachers who teach higher-level courses. Letters of recommendations should typically come from teachers the student had during junior year for this very reason. That way the teacher can also speak to how you are as a student now, or how you’ve grown as a student since freshman year.
Consider asking a teacher in a subject you enjoy. If you have a strong passion in a certain subject, we recommend asking a teacher in that subject to write a letter. If you’re deeply interested in mathematics, a letter of recommendation from a math teacher would further expand your proclaimed and demonstrated interest in math.
Consider teachers who can provide insight into who you are at a personal or social level. Teachers who served as sponsors of clubs in which you were involved might be able to provide this perspective, or a teacher you get along with well who knows you.
If optional letters of recommendation are allowed, ask an advisor, mentor, coach, or boss to give the college a well-rounded look of who you are.

Tips for Writing Recommendations

Recommendations: Teacher Tips

Recommendations: Counselor Tips

Tips for Writing a Genuine and Powerful College Recommendation Letter

Sample Letters of Recommendation

How to ask for a letter of recommendation?

Ask the teacher willing to write a strong letter of recommendation on your behalf and give them at least a month to write the letter- but the more time you give, the better!
Set up a meeting with your recommender to discuss your application and how you plan to frame yourself as an applicant: what are you applying for, qualities that you would like to highlight, etc.
While an activities sheet can be helpful in giving a recommender a place to start, be sure to choose teachers who know you well enough that they can say more about you than just what extracurriculars you participated in. A strong letter of recommendation will also speak to your character, work ethic, and personality.
Check up on the process of your letter of recommendation to ensure it is getting done.

Requesting Letters through Naviance

Why: Requesting a Letter of Recommendation through Naviance allows the letter to be attached with your transcripts when you are sending materials to various schools. Common App Schools REQUIRE that teachers complete a form through Naviance along with their letter.

How: Steps to Requesting a Letter of Recommendation through Naviance: