Letters of Recommendation Guide - How to Get Great Rec Letters

Why Recommendations Matter

Letters of recommendation provide third-party perspective on your abilities, character, and potential. They help admissions officers understand how you interact with others and perform in academic settings.

Types of Recommendations

Teacher Recommendations

Most schools require 1-2 teacher letters. Best practices:

• Choose teachers from junior year (or senior year if you've developed a strong relationship)
• Select teachers who know you well AND teach subjects relevant to your interests
• Ideally choose from core academic subjects (English, Math, Science, History, Foreign Language)

Counselor Recommendation

Your school counselor writes about you in the context of your school community. Help them by:

• Meeting with them early in junior year
• Sharing your activities, goals, and any special circumstances
• Providing a detailed "brag sheet"

Additional Recommendations

Some schools accept optional letters from:

• Coaches or activity advisors
• Employers or internship supervisors
• Community leaders or mentors

How to Ask for Recommendations

Timeline

How to Ask

Ask in person when possible. Say something like:

"I really enjoyed your class and feel like you know me well as a student. Would you be willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation for college?"

The word "strong" is important - it gives teachers an easy out if they don't feel they can write a compelling letter.

The Brag Sheet

Provide recommenders with information to write detailed letters:

• Your academic interests and goals
• Specific experiences in their class you'd like them to mention
• Your extracurricular activities and achievements
• Challenges you've overcome
• Qualities you'd like highlighted
• List of colleges and their deadlines