Teacher Recommendations

Seniors: It's Time to Say "Thank you!"

Posted on Wed, 04/30/2014 - 09:59

Now that you have your letters in hand and your decision made, take the time to inform all the people in your life who had a hand in your admission process about that decision. That includes the teachers who wrote recommendations, the high school college counselor who loaned you her College Board Handbook, the guidance counselor who advised you to take AP calculus, the English teacher who proofread your essays, the coach who wrote a letter to the athletic department, and the faculty advisor for the newspaper who encouraged you to write an editorial about the stress of applying to college. Let them know where you have decided to enroll and thank them for all they did to help you get there.

You can stop by their classroom or office to let them know in person, but a personal, hand-written thank you note is the most powerful and meaningful way to show your appreciation, according to Mark Moody, Co-Director of College Counseling at Colorado Academy -- and we agree! "Like many counselors, I have a folder full of them in my desk," he told us, "on rougher days, it's where we go to remember why we do this rewarding work in the college application trenches with you!"

Oh, and don’t forget a big thank-you for the people who have helped you get to this point for the last eighteen years . . . your parents.

Juniors: Time to Ask Teachers for Recommendations!

Posted on Mon, 04/21/2014 - 15:10

Many colleges require letters of recommendation from the people who know students best in an academic setting -- your high school counselor and teachers. Letters of recommendation from teachers tell admission officers how students contribute to the academic and intellectual life of their high school.

Now is the time to ask those teachers whom you would like to write for you, especially if you are enjoying a class and connecting with the teacher or planning to apply under an early program. You want to ask teachers who know you well and have taught you recently in a challenging class.

When you ask, keep in mind that writing letters of recommendation is not part of a teacher's normal job duties and you should approach your teachers with a polite considerate request. Here are some pointers:

* Ask in person. No emails. A personal request is most thoughtful. Here's a sound bite: "I'm thinking ahead to college applications and wonder if you feel writing a recommendation is something you can do for me."

How to Mind your Manners while Applying to College

Posted on Thu, 02/13/2014 - 11:19

Lisa Endlich Heffernan of the excellent blog Grown and Flown has some great advice for students -- and parents -- about best behavior and student etiquette so the college application process carries you where you want to go.

The college process is a long campaign -- it can be exhausting, distracting and anxiety-producing. So good manners should have a place of prominence. But it is all too easy for an overwrought, otherwise distracted teen to forget what they have been taught. As a parent I was often distracted by the details of the process, too, and failed in my job of reminding my sons to mind their manners along the way. So here are a few reminders, I wish I had had.

1. Teachers need to be asked for recommendations the old fashioned way. Writing recommendations is a time consuming process and yet a good recommendation is key to a good application. If possible, students need to ask their teachers/counselors/coaches for recommendations in person, showing that they are willing to make the effort and that their gratitude is genuine. Email is okay for a follow up thank you and to convey more information, but a handwritten note goes a long way.

The Other Essays that are "All About You": Your Recommendations

Posted on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:24

John Carpenter is back this month to remind students that there are some other essays that are "all about you" -- the recommendations from your counselor and teachers. Read on for his tips on how to get the best writing -- that is, the best results!

In applying to college, writing is enormously important because good writing tells us something we need to know. I spend a lot of time talking to students about writing their essays, and I usually enjoy reading what people have written and hearing the stories. While there’s a lot of emphasis on creating the perfect essay, there’s another kind of writing where students also have some influence and most high school kids don’t even think about it -- and that’s the recommendations.

Yep, recommendations. Those other great little essays that are all about you, written by your teachers and counselor. If you think it’s tough to write a personal statement for an application and a couple of short supplement essays as well, imagine what it’s like for your high school English teacher who is probably writing about 15 or 20 essays--er, I mean, recommendations--for her students. And then there’s your counselor who, depending on how big your graduating class is, could be writing 15 or 20 -- or even as many as 100 or more. Seriously!

Guess what, students? You're in Control!

Posted on Mon, 10/14/2013 - 16:49

John Carpenter is back this month with some thoughts about who is really in the driver's seat during the college application process. While it might feel like the college admission offices are steering, if you pay attention you'll see that students have the wheel much of the time. Read on and reevaluate what you've been feeling if things are feeling out of control.

One thing I hear constantly from high school kids over and over is that applying to college is stressful. And psychologists tell us that stress comes from a feeling that we are not in control -- especially the big stuff. Getting into college falls into the “big stuff” category. But students have more control in this whole process than they may realize. So, let’s analyze that.

Seniors: Have you requested your Letters of Recommendation?

Posted on Mon, 09/23/2013 - 11:22

Most private colleges -- and more and more public universities -- require letters of recommendation from one or two classroom teachers of academic subjects and the high school guidance or college counselor. Make the job easier for the teachers and counselor who will write your recommendations by providing them with a list of the colleges to which you are applying, deadlines for the recommendations and any required forms. In order to get the best result, it may also be helpful to provide the teachers who are writing your recommendations with an updated list of activities and any honors you have received, as well as a note telling them why you have chosen them to write for you.

If you have not requested these letters of recommendation, do so immediately by speaking in person with your teachers and counselor. And don’t forget to check the policies and guidelines for recommendations of both your high school and the colleges to which you're applying to be sure all requirements are being met.

And don't forget to say thank you!

2013 Colleges and Universities that Require TWO Letters of Recommendation from Teachers

Posted on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 12:02

Letters of recommendation can play an important role in the admission decision, particularly at the most selective schools. Letters of recommendation from teachers tell admission officers how students contribute to the academic and intellectual life of their high school. Your teachers' input tells the colleges what their faculty can expect from you. Remember, in the college admission process, you are being evaluated to enter a learning community! High school counselor Cigus Vanni joins us again today with another excellent list -- this time of the colleges and universities that require TWO letters of recommendation from teachers.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT REQUIRE TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM TEACHERS

Juniors: How to ask Teachers for Recommendations

Posted on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 10:19

Before the end of the school year, ask two teachers for recommendations. But remember that writing letters of recommendation is not part of a teacher's normal job duties. So keep that in mind and approach your teachers with a polite considerate request. Here are some pointers:

* Ask in person. No emails. A personal request is most thoughtful

* Do not ask for more recommendations than you need. Pick two teachers and use the same two for all your applications. (Note: you will need to ask teachers who fulfill the guidelines of the colleges to which you are applying. Check the colleges' websites.)

* Say "please" when you ask and "thank you" when the teacher agrees.

Here's a sound bite: "I'm thinking ahead to college applications and wonder if you feel writing a recommendation is something you can do for me."

Most teachers are happy to help you.