LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION PACKAGES
Here is what you need to put together for the people who will be filling out School Reports (high school counselor), Teacher Evaluation forms (teachers), and writing other letters of recommendation:

A. HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR

1. Any materials or questionnaires that the high school counseling office asks you to fill out.

2. Activities Resume

3. Your college list organized by the dates when the applications are due (Some counselors ask that you identify why you are interested in each college.)

It is very important for you to let your college counselor know if you plan to apply to a college early (action or decision), or if a college to which you plan to apply has rolling admissions.

4. The School Report forms (also called the Secondary School Report and Counselor or Counselor Recommendation forms) Fill out the top portion of each form, including your name, social security number, and other required information. Also, be sure to agree to the waiver that gives away your right to see the forms.

5. Stamped, college addressed envelopes with the counselor’s name and return address noted in left hand corner. Ask the counselor if he/she prefers a standard or larger envelope.

6. A letter from your parents that includes adjectives that describe who you are (unique characteristics); a list of your strengths; significant family events, personal stories or obstacles that you have overcome. This, of course, is optional depending upon whether or not your parents want to do it.

7. Possibly a sample of your essays, if the counselor wants to see them

8. Any other information that will be helpful to your counselor, such as previous letters praising you for some accomplishment.

9. Transcript request: Some counselors assume responsibility for sending transcripts to colleges; others require that you make the request at the school administration office. Find out the procedure for your school.

10. Provide a self-addressed, stamped post card with each college for which the counselor is writing a school report to check off and mail back to you when everything is complete.

11. Provide a cover sheet that identifies all of the above and that thanks the counselor for his/her work on your behalf. See below for example.

B. HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

All of the above, plus:

12. The Teacher Recommendation forms (also called Teacher Evaluation, Teacher Reports, Core Academic Teacher Recommendation forms) Fill out the top portion of each form, including your name, social security number, and other required information. Also, be sure to agree to the waiver that gives away your right to see the forms.

C. OTHER RECOMMENDERS

In addition to the required application forms, sometimes it is useful for students to ask one or two other people who have special knowledge of their unique accomplishments, talents or activities to write letters of recommendation. These people might be a special art or drama teacher; a music, chess or athletic coach; individuals for whom students have worked; a teacher/professor for a special summer program; a religious leader; or the head of a community services agency for whom students have volunteered.

Here is what you should provide them:

1. Activities Resume

2. Your college list organized by the dates when the applications are due

3. Stamped, college addressed envelopes

4. Provide a cover sheet that identifies all of the above and that thanks the person for his/her work on your behalf. See below for example.

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SAMPLE COVER SHEET TO GIVE TO COUNSELOR, TEACHERS, AND OTHER PEOPLE WRITING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

DATE: __________

TO: (Recommender) _______________________________

FROM: (You) _____________________________________

Your Telephone: __________________________________

Your Email: _____________________________________

Thank you so much for agreeing to write letters of recommendation for my college applications. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. Here is a list of the materials I am providing you.

Please let me know if you need anything else.