Letters of Recommendation Eric Heineman Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

What we will cover Who needs recommendations? Why recommendations matter Role of counselor in this process Obtaining information from students Counselor recommendations Teacher recommendations Other considerations: Etiquette for how students request recommendations Letterhead and layout FERPA and student privacy Check boxes vs. school policy Mid year reports Archiving

Who requires recommendations? Common Application  School recommendation  Teacher recommendations (number limited by institution) Institutional applications Honors programs Community organizations offerings scholarships Internships

Recommendations matter Bring the application to life Help admission officers make accurate, fair assessment Context to evaluate student’s academic preparation Verify student’s strengths and current limitations Insight into character and potential to thrive Build relationships between college and your school

Role of the counselor Understand and teach your faculty the difference in function between counselor and teacher recommendations Educate your teachers on writing effective recommendations Develop way of obtaining information from students Establish procedures for timely submission that respect deadlines

Obtaining information School records  Transcript  Counseling records Student self assessment  Surveys  Interview Parent assessment  Written ‘brag’ sheet  Interview Teacher input  Written assessments  Samples of work Storing this information

Counselor recommendation In context of school and community, broadly addresses  Academic record  Extracurricular involvement  Character and personality  Home environment, as appropriate Amalgamates information, acknowledging high and low points Can be used to raise red flags appropriate for colleges to understand

Brief counselor recommendation outline π1π1 Introduce how you know student and context of school π2π2 Describe academic choices student has made and compare outcomes with other students π3π3 Discuss the student outside the classroom: primary activity, background, or extenuating circumstances π4π4 Provide an overall evaluation, emphasizing any distinctive contributions student has made to school

Teacher recommendations In context of classroom, focus on  Particular skills in subject  Competence in learning  Interactions with peers and instructor Stick to experience, using specific, precise anecdotal detail Never raise red flags without speaking with counselor

Brief teacher recommendation outline π1π1 Introduce how you know student, give context of the course(s), any special requirements π2π2 Describe academic performance of the student in your class, citing oral, written, and groups assignments π3π3 Discuss the student’s character by citing specific examples of relationships with peers and adults π4π4 Provide an overall evaluation of the intellectual potential the student will have in a college learning environment

Do’s and Don’ts for writers Qualify your adjectives and provide specifics Evaluate more than describe Write at least a page Advocate: give reason to admit Maintain credibility by not going overboard Go on and on about your credentials Mention physical appearance or attractiveness of student Send the same letter Write three pages Restate a resume in list form DODON’T

Etiquette for students requesting recommendations Learning opportunity for students! Provide clear instructions to students for counselor requests Encourage teachers to put their expectations for students in writing (resumes, envelopes) Tracking recommendation requests and submissions Thank you notes

Letterhead and layout Formal stationery way be wasted Limit to one page whenever possible Simple, clear font, 12 point Only send.pdfs – preserve the formatting! Include your contact information

Policy considerations FERPA and student rights Checking comparison boxes: policies must be understood by entire school community Submission of teachers recommendations (through Naviance)

Things to keep in mind My biggest regret: assign yourself a quality proofreader Mid year reports: use them as a boost for your students Storing and archiving: utilize a naming convention and folder system to keep all current recommendations easily accessible