How to Approach Getting Recommendations for Colleges

Recommendations are one of the key pieces of the college application. Colleges and universities usually ask for 1-3 recommendations for admission to their school. If a college only requests one recommendation, the student's guidance counselor should send this letter. The counselor asks teachers from various grade levels about the student and writes an overall letter about the student's performance in high school. If a college requests more than one recommendation, students should ask their guidance counselor first and then teachers or other adults for the subsequent recommendations. So for example, if you needed three recommendations, you might ask your guidance counselor, 11th grade English teacher, and 11th grade Math teacher. Juniors, since you have a full year before you have to request recommendations, if you do not have a strong relationship with a teacher, coach, or another adult, you should start working on making those connections! Seniors, if you are applying to college this year you should start thinking about who you will ask ASAP!

  

Who Should I Ask for a Recommendation?

Most colleges require one recommendation from the student's guidance counselor. If colleges want additional recommendations, students should ask an adult who knows them well and can speak to their strengths. Although colleges prefer academic recommendations from teachers of a core subject such as Math, Science, or English, you should think about what makes sense for you. For example, if you are going to art school, an art teacher's recommendation would strengthen your application. Teachers, coaches, employers, and religious leaders are appropriate people to ask for recommendations if they can speak to your strengths as a student and as a person. Parents, relatives and friends are not appropriate people to ask for a college recommendation.

 

When Should I Request a Recommendation?

You should ask your references how much time they will need to write your recommendation. In general, you should ask at least one month in advance of your earliest deadline for your first letter of recommendation. Remember that your references will have other students also asking them for letters, and these letters can be time consuming to write. You don't want to rush someone who is writing a letter on your behalf! At the same time, you should offer a courteous reminder as the deadline approaches.

 

What Materials Should I Give to my References?

Consider offering your reference a copy of your resume, a list of deadlines and the schools to which you are applying, and a one-page write up of what you did well in his or her class. Some high schools encourage students to create a "brag sheet" which essentially highlights a few examples of papers, projects, or other activities where you demonstrate learning and growth. Also, be sure to indicate how the reference should submit your recommendation. Will the recommendation be emailed, uploaded into the Common Application or mail it to the admissions office? Make the process as clear as possible so there is no confusion in where and when your letters should be sent.

 

After Receiving the Letter of Recommendation

Remember to send a handwritten note to those who have taken time to write a recommendation for you to thank them for their time! Once you make a decision about the campus you will attend, keep your references informed as a courtesy.

Most colleges require one recommendation from the student's guidance counselor. If colleges want additional recommendations, students should ask an adult who knows them well and can speak to their strengths. Although colleges prefer academic recommendations from teachers of a core subject such as Math, Science, or English, you should think about what makes sense for you. For example, if you are going to art school, an art teacher's recommendation would strengthen your application. Teachers, coaches, employers, and religious leaders are appropriate people to ask for recommendations if they can speak to your strengths as a student and as a person. Parents, relatives and friends are not appropriate people to ask for a college recommendation.Most colleges require one recommendation from the student's guidance counselor. If colleges want additional recommendations, students should ask an adult who knows them well and can speak to their strengths. Although colleges prefer academic recommendations from teachers of a core subject such as Math, Science, or English, you should think about what makes sense for you. For example, if you are going to art school, an art teacher's recommendation would strengthen your application. Teachers, coaches, employers, and religious leaders are appropriate people to ask for recommendations if they can speak to your strengths as a student and as a person. Parents, relatives and friends are not appropriate people to ask for a college recommendation.