(It's true. In my years of admission counseling, I've actually come across letters of recommendation that did not recommend the student for admission.)
All joking aside, a great letter of recommendation gives the admission committee an idea of your character beyond the basic information you provide in your application.
Here are some tips for letters of recommendation that I've found myself passing on to college applicants:
All joking aside, a great letter of recommendation gives the admission committee an idea of your character beyond the basic information you provide in your application.
Here are some tips for letters of recommendation that I've found myself passing on to college applicants:
- Choose wisely! Ask for letter(s) from teachers, counselors and/or employers who have had positive experiences in working with you
- Letters from famous people should only be used if that person has worked directly with you. We're more impressed by a sincere, well-written letter from a teacher who has known you and worked with you than a letter from a famous person or public figure who is only an acquaintance.
- Talk to the teacher, counselor and/or employer that you're asking to write a letter on your behalf, and provide them with a resume or list of activities. They'll feel more comfortable talking both about their direct experiences with you and supplement the letter with other information about your accomplishments.
- Give the person plenty of time to think about the letter, write it and send it to the college you're applying to
- Provide a stamped and addressed envelope for the letter(s), or instructions on what you'd like the person to do with the completed letter
- Tell the person your application deadline, or else, a date by which you'd like the letter to be completed.
- Quality over quantity -- don't overdo it! Two or three letters are sufficient to have for your applications, unless a college has otherwise requested. You'd rather have 2-3 quality letters submitted by people who know you well than submit 10 letters written by people who "sort of" know you.
Above all, be sure to thank the person for taking the time to help you with your college application process.
...And hey, when you get into the college of your choice, you should make it a point to tell the people who wrote you letters of recommendation -- because they played an important part of you getting admitted!
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9 comments:
I am interested in University of Miami but I have few questions. This University is in Miami or Ohio? Because there is one in Ohio too i think. And how much will be the fee per semester including tuition? I am not asking for the exact amount but just so i can check if i can afford it or not. Thanks.
Mawra Butt
perkins high school
I've got a question I've been wanting to ask for a while. Who is a good person to get a letter of recommendation from if you're homeschooled? A letter from my teacher doesn't really work since she's my mother and I don't get a school counsler.
Hi Mawra,
This is the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. You're right, there is a Miami University in Ohio, but we're the university in Florida.
The total cost of attendance per year is approximately $42,000. If you're interested in seeing how you could make a private university like our affordable -- go to www.miami.edu/scholarships and see if perhaps you could be in contention for an academic scholarship.
Hi Homeschooled,
As a homeschooled applicant, your parent is welcome to write a letter of recommendation since they also serve as your counselor. We will accept a letter from her, even if she's your mom!
We would also recommend that you ask another non-relative to write you a letter of recommendation -- maybe someone you've worked with, an employer, or someone in your community that you've had some positive experiences with.
im 100 percent to attend to UM I have a question, every saturday I attend to a programn that is call the open bound programm in florida national college so i want to know if they also can write me a recommendation letter
I have been considering who to ask for letters of recommendation, but I am not sure who to ask. There are many people who could give me great recommendations, but I am not sure who to ask. Is it bad to have too many letters of recommendation, even if they are all good? How many letters of recommendation should I have?
Thank you for your suggestions and help.
Yes, I was wondering if you have to have a letter yet if you have not filled out an application form yet? I am planning on attending Miami. Do I have them send it in now or wait until i send in my application, and if so how many days do I wait until i send the letters behind that. Thankyou, Larry
Give the to the teacher's of your favorite(best grade) subjects...they are probably the most likely to give you a positive letter!
Will more than one letter of recommendation be needed when applying?
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