Letters of Recommendation
How Your Child Can Get the Necessary References
Most college applications request two or three recommendation letters from people who know your child in and out of the classroom. It’s your child’s responsibility to find appropriate people to write these letters — and to give them enough time to write a thoughtful letter. Your child can start by discussing the process, and possible candidates, with family and the school counselor.
Whom should my child ask?
You and your child should read the application carefully. Often colleges request letters of recommendation from an academic teacher (sometimes in a specific subject), the school counselor or both. If the college requests a letter from an academic teacher and the subject is not specified, your child’s English or math teachers usually make good candidates.
Your child should also ask a teacher from junior year, or a current teacher who has known your child long enough to form an opinion about potential. It is best not to go back too far; colleges want current perspectives on their potential candidates.
It can also be good to get a recommendation from a teacher who knows your child outside the classroom — for example, the teacher who shaped your child’s performance in the class musical. Whoever is asked for a recommendation should be able to attest to your child’s academic and personal achievements and potential.
When should my child ask?
Your child should give recommendation writers plenty of time — at least one month before letters are due — to complete and send the recommendations, but the earlier that writers are asked the better. Many teachers like to have the summer to write recommendations, so your child should ask them during the spring of junior year. If applying under early decision or early action plans, your child will need to ask at the start of the school year, or earlier.
How can my child get the best possible recommendations?
Your child should talk to the recommendation writers. For teachers, it's important that they focus on your child’s academic talents and accomplishments within their classroom, because that's what colleges are looking for in teacher recommendations.
Students can to their teachers about what they remember about their classes and their participation in them. Your child can remind teachers of specific work assignments or projects, any academic successes in the class and any challenges overcome. Your child should give the teachers the information they need to provide specific examples of achievement.
It's also important that your child spends time talking with school counselors and ensure they know about plans, accomplishments and pursuits. It may be a good idea for your child to provide them with a brief resume of activities and goals; a resume can provide the best overview of your child’s high school involvement and contributions.
Also, if there is some aspect of your child’s transcript that needs explaining — for example, low grades during sophomore year — it's helpful for your child to talk with school counselors to explain changes and improvements since then.
Helpful Tips
Below is a list of tips to share with your child.
- Don't be shy. Teachers and counselors are usually happy to help you, as long as you respect their time constraints.
- Supply your recommendation writers with addressed and stamped envelopes for each college to which you're applying.
- Provide teachers and counselors with deadlines for each recommendation that you are requesting.
- On the application form, waive your right to view recommendation letters. This gives more credibility to the recommendation in the eyes of the college.
- Probably you know your teachers well enough to know who can provide favorable reviews of your accomplishments. If in doubt, don't hesitate to ask if they feel comfortable writing a recommendation. In some cases, you may have no choice about whom to ask, but when you do, make the best choice possible.
- Follow up with your recommendation writers a week or so prior to your first deadline, to ensure recommendations have been mailed, or to see if they need additional information from you.
- Once you’ve decided which college to attend, write thank-you notes to everyone who provided a recommendation and tell them where you've decided to go to college. Be sure to do this before you leave high school.
