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Health & Fitness

How to Ask (and how not to ask ) for a College Recommendation

If you are applying to any Common Application colleges, you will need at least one teacher and a counselor recommendation.  This year’s Common Application also allows for a coach, employer, clergy, additional teacher, etc. to add a brief comment on your behalf.

DO:

·      Ask a junior year academic teacher: English, Math, Science or Social Studies. 

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·      Ask your teacher and/or counselor in person.

·      Allow 3-4 weeks for the person to write and send your recommendation.

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·      The recommendation does not have to be a subject with your best grade, but rather one in which the teacher can talk about your effort and work ethic.

·      Send an email ahead, if you wish, but ask if the teacher or counselor wants

to meet with you.

·      Provide your recommender with additional information.  Though your teacher knows you, the recommendation will be much better if you fill out their form and/or have a conversation with them about your strengths.

·      Colleges look for evidence of passion in the classroom, drive, determination, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.

·      Be sure to send your teacher and counselor a thank you note about 4 weeks after you ask them.   An old-fashioned written note is best, but an email is ok.

DO NOT:

·      Ask for your recommendation as you pass the person in the hallway.

·      Use a World Language class recommendation, unless it’s an additional one.  Some colleges want required recommendations from one of the four main academic areas.

·      Expect teachers to automatically write for you.  At many schools, teachers are not required to write these letters, the same teachers are often asked by many students, and some teachers must limit the number of recommendations they can write to keep up with their current class load.

 Recommendations can definitely help you, but will not be the one factor that will determine a favorable admission decision.  Schools requiring recommendations will read applications “holistically”.  Transcripts, test scores, student essays, and activity/athletic achievement are also extremely important. 

What colleges look for vary by institution.  For help, contact us at raviniacollegeconsulting.com or raviniacc@gmail.com

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