Requesting Letters of Recommendation
information to know before you start
Letters are not required by all colleges. Determine the need for a letter of recommendation by using the admission section of the school's website, not Naviance Student or Common App.
Colleges ask for letters to learn what kind of student you will be on their campus. Ask teachers or counselors who know you well and can speak to your strengths.
One letter is all that is needed for most colleges. There are rare occasions when more are needed. Make sure each letter communicates something new about you instead of repeating information.
If a teacher letter is needed, follow these stepS
Steps 2-4 must be completed 3 weeks before the recommendation is due.
1. Talk with the teacher in person about the request. Stay in communication with the teacher until the letter has been sent.
2. Complete the "Senior Information Sheet" in Naviance Student. To access the survey, click on the arrow next to your initials, "Surveys From Your School" and then "Senior Information Sheet." (Picture on the right).
3. Add your colleges to Naviance Student (Colleges I'm Applying to List). If you are using Common Application, you must match your Common App and Naviance Student accounts.
4. Make the recommendation request in Naviance Student by clicking on "Letters of Recommendation" (Picture below).
5. Click "Add Request" and select the teacher from the drop down menu. Check the appropriate school/s. Add a personal note if needed.
6. Click on "Submit Request."
7. Check the status of your request by viewing the Letters of Recommendation section in Naviance Student (Status column).
**If you add schools after a teacher/counselor has already submitted your recommendation, be sure to make a new request in Naviance and reach out to inform the teacher/counselor.**
Follow these steps for Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Talk with your counselor in person about your request.
Complete the "Senior Information Sheet" in Naviance Student. To access the survey, click on the arrow next to your initials, "Surveys From Your School" and then "Senior Information Sheet."
Add your colleges to Naviance Student (Colleges I'm Applying to List). If you are using Common Application, you must match your Common App and Naviance Student accounts.
Stay in touch with the counselor until the letter of recommendation has been sent.