Letters of Recommendation

Letters of Recommendation

TEACHER LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Purpose

Colleges find candid evaluations or recommendations helpful when reading a student’s application.  The recommendation can give the admissions committee information about a student that can help explain the student’s potential for success in college.

Tips

• Most colleges require two teacher recommendations.

• Ask teachers who know you well to write your letter of recommendation - preferably teachers from your junior or senior year. 

• Recommendations from teachers who have challenged you and seen you grow can sometimes be more enlightening to the admissions committee than from the teacher in whose class you received the highest grade.

COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

Purpose

Colleges use the Counselor Letter of Recommendation and School Report Forms to gather information about Yarmouth High School as well as how the student has contributed to both the academic and extra-curricular environment and culture of the school.

Tips

• Make sure to use your counselor as a resource throughout this entire process.  Counselors are in constant communication with admissions representatives and have access to immediate and accurate information about the process.

All parents are asked to complete a Senior Parent Questionnaire in September.  This important document, along with other information, is key in our efforts to support students’ college applications.

ADDITIONAL LETTERS & SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

Tips

• Some colleges will accept additional letters of recommendation.  This additional information is helpful when it adds substantive information to the college application.

• Letters from employers, coaches, and alumni from the college can be helpful if the letter gives additional supportive material that was not included in other letters of recommendation.

• Art work, creative writings, published papers, music CDs, athletic resumés, and other evidence of unique achievements can be helpful.