Four Steps To Getting Perfect College Recommendations by Gen and Kelly Tanabe
Gen & Kelly Tanabe are the authors of Get Into Any College: Secrets Of Harvard Students, Get Free Cash For College: Scholarship Secrets Of Harvard Students, and founders of SuperCollege.com where you'll find more tips, secrets, and strategies.
In college admissions, application forms and essays give admissions officers your own perspective on your achievements. However, to get another person's viewpoint they often turn to your letters of recommendation. When you apply to college, you will typically submit between one and three recommendation letters from teachers, employers, or other adults who can vouch for your academic achievements or personal character. Even though others actually write the letters, you might be surprised to discover that you can influence the results by who you select and what information you provide them. Here are some strategies for getting the best possible recommendation letters:
1. Start Early
Most colleges require two teacher recommendations and a school report completed by your counselor, principal, or headmaster. Some schools also allow you to submit an extra recommendation. Giving out the recommendation forms early should be your first priority. Recommenders need at least three weeks if not several months to prepare your recommendations, especially if they are busy teachers or administrators and have a stack of other recommendations to write. Before doing anything else, work on distributing the forms to them. But first, you need to find some recommenders.
2. Hunt Down The Best Recommenders
Identifying quality recommenders is much like finding star witnesses for a courtroom. You want people who can testify in support of your strengths, who are believable, and who won't reveal anything incriminating. Essentially you want to find people who know your strengths and will attest to them. For example, if your English teacher thinks that you are the next Hemingway, then you should ask him. Or, if biology is so easy that your teacher asks you to grade the exams, then you should ask her. Obviously the teachers in whose classes you excel will be your most likely candidates. For the school report, you may not have a choice who to ask. Many colleges specify which administrator should complete the report, usually your counselor, college advisor, principal, or schoolmaster. If you are given a choice, of course pick the one who knows you and your accomplishments best.
3. Give Them Everything They Need
Once you have your recommenders, put together a packet with a cover letter, resume, and all of the forms that they need to fill out for the colleges. Be sure to include in the cover letter a list of all the deadlines. Also, spend the extra money and put stamps on the envelopes so all your recommenders have to do is drop their recommendations in the mailbox.
4. Check In Often
Make sure that none of your recommendations are turned in late. It's your responsibility to make sure that your recommenders are aware of the deadlines and complete everything on time. Without pestering, make sure you inquire every so often about the status of the recommendation. A subtle way to remind them is to send a thank you note a week before the recommendations are due. While you can't control every word your recommenders write, by following the above four steps you will greatly increase the chances that you will have stellar recommendations.
In college admissions, application forms and essays give admissions officers your own perspective on your achievements. However, to get another person's viewpoint they often turn to your letters of recommendation. When you apply to college, you will typically submit between one and three recommendation letters from teachers, employers, or other adults who can vouch for your academic achievements or personal character. Even though others actually write the letters, you might be surprised to discover that you can influence the results by who you select and what information you provide them. Here are some strategies for getting the best possible recommendation letters:
1. Start Early
Most colleges require two teacher recommendations and a school report completed by your counselor, principal, or headmaster. Some schools also allow you to submit an extra recommendation. Giving out the recommendation forms early should be your first priority. Recommenders need at least three weeks if not several months to prepare your recommendations, especially if they are busy teachers or administrators and have a stack of other recommendations to write. Before doing anything else, work on distributing the forms to them. But first, you need to find some recommenders.
2. Hunt Down The Best Recommenders
Identifying quality recommenders is much like finding star witnesses for a courtroom. You want people who can testify in support of your strengths, who are believable, and who won't reveal anything incriminating. Essentially you want to find people who know your strengths and will attest to them. For example, if your English teacher thinks that you are the next Hemingway, then you should ask him. Or, if biology is so easy that your teacher asks you to grade the exams, then you should ask her. Obviously the teachers in whose classes you excel will be your most likely candidates. For the school report, you may not have a choice who to ask. Many colleges specify which administrator should complete the report, usually your counselor, college advisor, principal, or schoolmaster. If you are given a choice, of course pick the one who knows you and your accomplishments best.
3. Give Them Everything They Need
Once you have your recommenders, put together a packet with a cover letter, resume, and all of the forms that they need to fill out for the colleges. Be sure to include in the cover letter a list of all the deadlines. Also, spend the extra money and put stamps on the envelopes so all your recommenders have to do is drop their recommendations in the mailbox.
4. Check In Often
Make sure that none of your recommendations are turned in late. It's your responsibility to make sure that your recommenders are aware of the deadlines and complete everything on time. Without pestering, make sure you inquire every so often about the status of the recommendation. A subtle way to remind them is to send a thank you note a week before the recommendations are due. While you can't control every word your recommenders write, by following the above four steps you will greatly increase the chances that you will have stellar recommendations.
Sample Letters of Recommendation
Examples of Letters for Teachers and Others by Estela Kennen
Writing a letter of recommendation does not have to be difficult. Here are sample letters with phrasing that teachers and other writers can tailor for their students.
A recommendation or letter of support should begin with the sender and receiver’s full name, title, and address or using the sender’s letterhead, if available.
The body of the recommendation should contain these elements, in approximately this order:
Sample Letter of Recommendation for an Outstanding Student
“It is my pleasure to recommend Wonderful Person to Awesome College. As a high school science teacher, I have had the pleasure of knowing Wonderful since 9th grade, when s/he took my Biology class. Wonderful is currently excelling in my AP Biology class. In addition, Wonderful has been an active member of the school’s Science Club for the past four years. As President of the Club, Wonderful has launched a very aggressive – and highly successful – renewable energy campaign in the school.
"Wonderful is one of the most impressive students I have met in my 20 years of teaching. S/he is not only intelligent and hard-working, but creative, easy-going, and truly responsive to others. I have no doubt that Wonderful would excel in whatever endeavor s/he tries, and believe he would be an asset to your school. I recommend Wonderful without reservation.”
Sample Letter of Recommendation for a Good Student
“I am writing you today to recommend Good Guy to Awesome Internship. As Associate Professor of Sociology at Good School, I have known GG for two years. He received an A in my Intro to Sociology class last year, and did as well in last semester’s Seminar on Social Unrest. GG is a solid performer. He was always punctual and prepared, made insightful contributions to our discussions, and helped his fellow classmates with complex projects.
"Outside of class, GG has told me about his interest for helping with [Social Cause]. His passion and knowledge on this issue are clear to me, and I have no doubt that he would benefit greatly from Awesome Internship.
"GG is as solid a student as any I’ve met in my 8 years of teaching at the college level. I have no doubt he would get the job done, and be truly helpful to your staff. I recommend GG without reservation.”
There is no one way to write a letter of recommendation, no right or wrong language to include. But by including the elements above, a writer can be sure to form a complete, straightforward letter that will help the reviewer make a critical assessment.
A recommendation or letter of support should begin with the sender and receiver’s full name, title, and address or using the sender’s letterhead, if available.
The body of the recommendation should contain these elements, in approximately this order:
- Introduction: “My name is [Full Name] and I am the [job title] in [department and/or organization].”
- Recommendation: “I am writing today in strong support of [Full Name].”
- Context: “I have known [First Name] since [year] when I met him/her [under what circumstances].”
- Specific Reason for Support: “[Name] has [specific qualities]. S/he exemplified these when we worked together on [project title] in [year]. The project lead to [specific outcome]. Furthermore, [more details]. For these and other achievements, [mention of awards].”
- Comparison of Person’s Abilities: “[Name] is easily one of the best workers I have met in my [specific years] in the industry.”
- Reiteration of recommendation: “It is for these reasons that it is my honor to recommend [Name] for XYZ.”
- Offer for follow-up: “If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at [phone] or via email.”
Sample Letter of Recommendation for an Outstanding Student
“It is my pleasure to recommend Wonderful Person to Awesome College. As a high school science teacher, I have had the pleasure of knowing Wonderful since 9th grade, when s/he took my Biology class. Wonderful is currently excelling in my AP Biology class. In addition, Wonderful has been an active member of the school’s Science Club for the past four years. As President of the Club, Wonderful has launched a very aggressive – and highly successful – renewable energy campaign in the school.
"Wonderful is one of the most impressive students I have met in my 20 years of teaching. S/he is not only intelligent and hard-working, but creative, easy-going, and truly responsive to others. I have no doubt that Wonderful would excel in whatever endeavor s/he tries, and believe he would be an asset to your school. I recommend Wonderful without reservation.”
Sample Letter of Recommendation for a Good Student
“I am writing you today to recommend Good Guy to Awesome Internship. As Associate Professor of Sociology at Good School, I have known GG for two years. He received an A in my Intro to Sociology class last year, and did as well in last semester’s Seminar on Social Unrest. GG is a solid performer. He was always punctual and prepared, made insightful contributions to our discussions, and helped his fellow classmates with complex projects.
"Outside of class, GG has told me about his interest for helping with [Social Cause]. His passion and knowledge on this issue are clear to me, and I have no doubt that he would benefit greatly from Awesome Internship.
"GG is as solid a student as any I’ve met in my 8 years of teaching at the college level. I have no doubt he would get the job done, and be truly helpful to your staff. I recommend GG without reservation.”
There is no one way to write a letter of recommendation, no right or wrong language to include. But by including the elements above, a writer can be sure to form a complete, straightforward letter that will help the reviewer make a critical assessment.
