2. 1 Apply Yourself! Week Five Letters of Recommendation

3. 2 We will learn…  what a letter of recommendation is.  why it is necessary.  who you should ask to write one.  what you should give to your referrer.  how to ask someone to write you a letter.

4. 3 What Is a Letter of Recommendation?  A letter written on your behalf  Can be written by a teacher, employer, counselor, etc  Your referrer recommends you to the school you are applying to.  You are often not allowed to see what the referrer writes.

5. 4 Why Are They Necessary?  They help schools get a better picture of you.  They can emphasize non-academic accomplishments.  They explain why you will be an asset to the school from someone who knows you.  Most schools require 1-3 as part of the application.

6. 5 Who Should I Ask?  Ask someone who knows you personally and academically.  Ask someone who knows about your career plans.  Ask someone who will write a strong letter.  Ask someone who will complete the letter on time.  Check your application to see if they require a specific person (counselor, teacher, etc.).  Good examples: teachers, counselors, employers, coaches, advisors, supervisors, etc.

7. 6 What Should I Give to My Referrer?  A recommendation form from the school (if applicable)  The address to send it (an addressed and stamped envelope too!)  A list of accomplishments so they have something to work with  A way to contact you with questions  Plenty of time before the deadline  A big Thank You!

8. 7 How to Ask?  If you know some of the faculty well, politely ask them to write you a letter and give them plenty of information.  If you aren’t very close with any school faculty, try one of the following statements:

9. 8 Starters:  Hi. I am applying to ______ and am looking for people to write me a letter of recommendation. I have a list of my interests and accomplishments to help. Would you be willing to write a letter on my behalf?  Hi. I am applying to _____ and was hoping you could write a letter of rec for me. If you need to know more about me, maybe we can meet after class? I have a list of my interests and accomplishments with me as well.

10. 9 References  Rochester, L., and Mandell, J. (1989). The one hour college applicant: You don’t need to read a 300-page book to apply to college. Memphis: Mustang Publishing Company.

11. 10 Questions??