TEACHER RECOMMENDATION LETTERS AND BRAG SHEETS.
“Our greatest struggles can lead to our greatest accomplishments.” - Anonymous
The numbers will vary based on where you look, but the average high school student to high school counselor ratio in the United States is about 400:1. Not all of those may be senior students, but you can see how having a very large number of students can dramatically impact a counselor’s (and teacher’s) ability to write glowing recommendation letters for students in need. But it is often necessary to be included in a college application.
Sometimes asking for a letter of recommendation can feel awkward, but know that most teachers view students asking them for a recommendation as a positive: you liked their teaching, trust them, and think highly of them, so much so that you want them to be a part of your college application.
The letters are essentially them doing you a favor. They are not required to write college recommendations, neither are they required to write positive college recommendations. Be upfront, courteous, and thankful, but, most of all, you must give teachers, counselors, mentors, or other recommenders at least two to three months to write the letter of recommendation. That might seem like a long time, but again, look at the student to counselor ratio.
The early bird, as usual, will probably get the worm.
Just know that you are not the only student asking them. They write recommendations in their free time, which, if they are teachers and counselors, they likely do not have much of. Tell them when your earliest application is due, answer their questions, and offer to send all of the information in an email as well. Not only does this then provide the recommender something to refer back to, but it also is a good reminder for later.
Secondly, don’t hesitate to ask if they can write you a positive recommendation, because they can surely write a mediocre one which will basically state that you showed up to the class / activity / session and did the work or activity, which is essentially nothing more than the participation award of little league.
Your recommenders may also ask if there’s anything in particular you want them to talk about in the letter. For example, if you are entering into an English program, perhaps they write about a great argument you made in an class essay that you wrote.
It is also wise to consider two teachers for letters of recommendation, but not usually more than two. If You will want to choose one science or math teacher and one English or history teacher. Students considering visual and performing arts schools or majors may choose to include one arts teacher who is familiar with your interests and then one teacher from your core classes.
Do not be shy in asking for additional letters of recommendation from mentors and employers beyond the high school community. Employers often provide a side of the student not found in academic settings that can speak about timeliness, punctuality, orderliness, organization, and more.
BRAG SHEET
It is also very helpful to your counselor and teachers for you to complete a brag sheet: this is a list of your academic and athletic accomplishments, community or volunteer service, clubs and activities, work history, hobbies outside of sports and academics, details, and insight into what makes you “you”.
Ask yourself this question: What about you makes you unique and different that you would want a college admissions officer to know about you?
Completing a brag sheet means you remind your teachers and counselor what you’ve done that will help to make their letter of recommendation lively, interesting, and personal.
