Letters of Recommendation That Make a Difference (Part 5 of 8)
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
STRATEGIES TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATION COUNT Series
I have had a number of conversations recently about letters of recommendation and, specifically, who should be enlisted to write them. It seems that, as students begin focusing on the details of their college applications, they have unresolved questions regarding strategies for selecting the “right” teachers for the task of writing recommendations. Some students also want to know the potential benefit of having personalities from outside of the school write letters on their behalf. This blog will address both questions.
First, let’s take a look at how/where letters of recommendation fit in the admission process. They are important to admission officers because they provide contextual interpretation for your academic performance. Writers share critical insight into your work habits and learning style as well as your ability to respond to challenges/setbacks. They can help explain irregularities in your academic program and/or performance and shed light into key factors that define your learning environment.
So, who should you choose to write your letters? The people best positioned to support your application are those who know you well from your recent work in the classroom. They are familiar with your intellectual abilities and academic skills. They have watched you respond to a range of challenges in the classroom and understand your capacity/desire to learn. They are your teachers, counselors and advisors—they are your champions. Let them help you.
The following are five tips for securing letters of recommendation that can help strengthen the overall presentation of your applications.
1. Choose teachers who know what you can do—the teachers who push you and don’t let you settle for “good enough.” They are the folks who are more likely to be invested in your long-term success. Contrary to popular belief, your most insightful supporter may not be the teacher regarded as the most popular. Generally speaking, at least one of your recommenders should be someone who is familiar with your critical thinking and communication skills.
2. Give your counselor and teachers the courtesy of time to think about and prepare a letter of recommendation for you. If you are a high school Senior and still have not asked folks to write on your behalf, do it now! Extend the same consideration (time, access to information) you would want if confronted by a writing assignment that accounts for most of your grade in a class.
3. Talk with your recommenders about why college is important to you. Share your dreams and ambitions. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. If there are factors beyond your control that have influenced your ability to perform as you would have liked, make sure your recommenders are sufficiently informed so they can help you tell your “story.” Give them the necessary information and insight so they can write well-balanced letters on your behalf.
4. Share a brief resume of your activities and achievements. While your teachers know you well from your work in their respective classrooms, they may not have the benefit of the “big picture that defines you.
5. Provide a list of your application deadlines and the forms (the appropriate pre-addressed, pre-posted envelopes) used by each of your colleges for letters of recommendation. While your recommenders may elect to use their own forms, they will still benefit by being able to respond to the guidelines and information requests provided by the colleges to which you are applying.
When you ask someone to write on your behalf, you will have the option to waive your right of access to that letter. Do it. Your recommenders need to be able to provide complete and balanced perspectives without having to worry about how you or your parents will react to what they have written. If your recommenders are concerned about being second-guessed in any way, they will be less inclined to share the kind of information that is useful to admission officers in the credential review. Give them some space and trust they will act in your best interests. The people you have chosen for this task are your strongest supporters and want to see you do well.
Finally, you may find it useful to involve as recommenders people from the community who provide perspectives that validate your out-of-classroom experiences. For example, a letter from a private music teacher who attests to your diligent preparation, ability to perform under pressure, and determination to compete at a certain level will cast your private music study in more substantive light. Similarly, the coordinator of a local homeless shelter can testify to your selflessness and generosity and an employer can attest to your responsibility on the job.
Resist the temptation, however, to collect letters of recommendation from important people in the community whose sole contribution will be to say nice things about you and your family. Before asking clergy, politicians, well-connected family friends, or other prominent citizens for recommendations, ask yourself: “What is it that this person can say about me that my teachers and counselor will not already have said?” If the individual can shed personal insight into the way you approach your work, interact with others, or react to setbacks, the letter might be helpful. Otherwise, it just adds to the weight of your file.
For more assistance in preparing your college application, check out Chapter 12 (“Time to Apply”) in Winning the College Admission Game: Strategies for Students.
