Hello Senior!
I'm sure you have requested letters of recommendation for college at this point, so here are a few tips regarding letters of rec:
1. Choose teachers who know what you can do: These are the teachers who push you and don't let you settle for "good enough"—the folks who are more likely to be invested in your long-term success. Contrary to popular belief, your most insightful supporter may not be the teacher regarded as the most popular. Generally speaking, at least one of your recommenders should be someone who is familiar with your critical thinking and communication skills.
2. Give your counselor and teachers the courtesy of time: Your recommenders need time to think about and prepare the letter. If you are a high school senior and still have not asked folks to write on your behalf, do it now! Extend the same consideration (time, access to information) you would want if confronted by a writing assignment that accounts for most of your grade in a class.
3. Talk with your recommenders about why college is important to you: Share your dreams and ambitions. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. If there are factors beyond your control that have influenced your ability to perform as you would have liked, make sure your recommenders are sufficiently informed so they can help you tell your "story." Give them the necessary information and insight so they can write well-balanced letters on your behalf.
4. Share a brief résumé of your activities and achievements: While your teachers know you well from your work in their respective classrooms, they may not have the benefit of the big picture that defines you.
5. Provide a list of your application deadlines and the appropriate forms: This includes the pre-addressed, pre-posted envelopes used by each of the colleges for letters of recommendation. While your recommenders may elect to use their own forms, they will still benefit by being able to respond to the guidelines and information requests provided by the colleges to which you are applying.
Best of luck!
-TOC
I'm sure you have requested letters of recommendation for college at this point, so here are a few tips regarding letters of rec:
1. Choose teachers who know what you can do: These are the teachers who push you and don't let you settle for "good enough"—the folks who are more likely to be invested in your long-term success. Contrary to popular belief, your most insightful supporter may not be the teacher regarded as the most popular. Generally speaking, at least one of your recommenders should be someone who is familiar with your critical thinking and communication skills.
2. Give your counselor and teachers the courtesy of time: Your recommenders need time to think about and prepare the letter. If you are a high school senior and still have not asked folks to write on your behalf, do it now! Extend the same consideration (time, access to information) you would want if confronted by a writing assignment that accounts for most of your grade in a class.
3. Talk with your recommenders about why college is important to you: Share your dreams and ambitions. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. If there are factors beyond your control that have influenced your ability to perform as you would have liked, make sure your recommenders are sufficiently informed so they can help you tell your "story." Give them the necessary information and insight so they can write well-balanced letters on your behalf.
4. Share a brief résumé of your activities and achievements: While your teachers know you well from your work in their respective classrooms, they may not have the benefit of the big picture that defines you.
5. Provide a list of your application deadlines and the appropriate forms: This includes the pre-addressed, pre-posted envelopes used by each of the colleges for letters of recommendation. While your recommenders may elect to use their own forms, they will still benefit by being able to respond to the guidelines and information requests provided by the colleges to which you are applying.
Best of luck!
-TOC