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Counselor's Corner |
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The teacher who writes your letter of recommendation should be able
to describe your contributions to the class or among the school community
that they have personally observed either as a coach or club advisor etc.
You should also choose a teacher who teaches you
an academic subject, e.g. math, science, language, English, or social studies.
If you have a specific talent or are interested in majoring
in a visual or performing art or interested in attending an Art School or Conservatory,
you should also ask a teacher who has worked closely with you
or had the opportunity to observe your talent.
Good letters of recommendation should address your specific characteristics
that they observe in the classroom...
- creative problem solving
- unique presentation
- critical thinking
- helpfulness
- work ethic
- compassion
- intellectual curiosity
- ability to think outside of the box or alternatively to bring a different point of view to the class discussion
It is helpful to provide the teacher with a summary of a project, report, presentation
or classroom activity where you felt like you made an especially good impression.
It is also helpful if you can provide the teacher with a graded paper to remind him/her of your work.
When asking for a recommendation, you should provide the teacher with the following:
- At least a month's notice.
- A brief outline with reminders of projects and activities under the direction of the teacher.
- For each college: a stamped #10 envelope, with the address of the Admissions Office.
Use the teacher's name and your high school mailing information for the return address.
- What is it for?
- What is the deadline?
- Does it get mailed directly to the university or sent to the high school guidance office?
- Supply a copy of your resume to help fill in the teacher's knowledge of you.
Always write a thank you letter to your teachers for their time and effort on your behalf.
Copyright 2008 © College Bound Mentor. All Rights Reserved
When planning your teacher recommendations, it's important to keep three guidelines in mind:
Choose teachers from your favorite classes that relate to your academic and career interests.
Although it's important that you performed well in the teacher's class, the class itself is also relevant.
For example, if you are passionate about history and politics,
cover related topics in your essays, consider majoring in the field,
and are involved in related extracurricular activities, ask your history teacher for a recommendation.
This way, your recommendation will be much more compelling:
beyond highlighting your academic excellence,
the teacher can discuss your genuine interest in the subject matter and intellectual curiosity,
which will be very meaningful to the admissions committees.
Spend time talking to your teachers before they write the recommendation.
Rather than simply providing your teacher with the recommendation form,
talk to them about your college plans, specific achievements in their particular class(es),
and interest in the subject matter studied. This will ensure
that the recommendation is as unique to you as possible,
rather than a generic letter that could have been written about any strong student in the class.
Approach your teachers for recommendations early in the school year, and remember to say thank you!
Your teachers will be submitting many students' recommendations,
so you want to make sure they have enough time to write a thoughtful letter,
rather than do so in a rushed manner. For early decision applications,
you should ask teachers for recommendations at the beginning of the school year;
for regular decision, you should approach your teachers by the end of October.
After they're done, write them a thank you note in appreciation for their time.
The views expressed herein are those of their authors alone, and do not necessarily represent the views of Hundreds of Heads or of IECA.
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AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR,
it is your responsibility to meet with each teacher you will ask for a recommendation.
You should give them an addressed and stamped envelope and all the required forms.
It is also helpful to provide a "brag sheet" so they have a complete view
of your achievements and activities outside their classroom.
One of my teachers told me that she had no idea how involved I was in my church and wouldn't have known
to include that information in her letter if it wasn't on the brag sheet.
-- EILEEN DAILY
EAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OTHERS aside from teachers can help.
My daughter was introduced to two Penn alums, who wrote letters of recommendation for her.
One was especially helpful in that he met with us and, after speaking with my daughter,
he tried to focus on one aspect of her accomplishments that might help her stand out.
He felt that her work in a political campaign was something that many high school kids would not have,
so his recommendation letter to Penn emphasized that part of her background.
She applied early and was accepted.
-- R.F.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
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Check out EssayEdge.com for the nitty gritty on asking for recommendations:
www.essayedge.com/college/admissions/recommendations/asking.shtml
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Give teachers a "brag sheet" of great things they might want to include to help them make you look good.
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