Not every school requires letters of recommendation from a teacher or counselor. Research the school you are applying to before you request a LOR. If you know you need a LOR, you should speak with or email your counselor and/or teacher at least a month ahead of time. It is best to communicate this information before senior year as counselors and teachers are incredibly busy when the school year begins.

Students will need to complete the SENIOR PACKET when requesting a Letter of Rec from their counselor. The SENIOR PACKET is a form that the student fills out, and one a parent/guardian fills out. This ensures the counselor has all the information needed to write an in-depth, articulate rec. The Senior Packet must be completed and sent to the counselor 15 school days before the first deadline. For example, if the deadline is October 15th, the day you should submit the Senior Packet is Sept. 24th. Take into account holidays. You CANNOT request a Letter of Rec until after you submit your application.

Students using the Common App 

How to Add Your Counselor on the Common App

***You must put your current high school in the education section of the “My Common Application” questions before you add your counselor.***

1. Log in to your Common App and add at least one college to your My Colleges list. (Common Application)
   
   

2. In My Colleges, open any college and go to Recommenders and FERPA. Complete the Release Authorization (FERPA) if prompted. (Common Application)
   
   

3. In the Counselor area, click Invite/Add Counselor. Enter your counselor’s name, title, and email, then send the invite. Who is my counselor?
   
   

4. After inviting, you’ll see your counselor listed, and you can track the status of the form in your application.
   
   

Add your College & Career Advisor

I do not submit forms to colleges, but I can track your progress and see a PDF preview of your application, if given permission.

1. In My Colleges → Recommenders and FERPA (any college), find Advisors.
   
   

2. Click Invite/Add Advisor, enter name (Jorge Ibarra) and email (jorge.ibarra@risd.org), and send the invite.

Once a teacher has agreed to write a letter, you will follow this procedure:

1. Log in to your Common App account
   Go to commonapp.org and log in.

2. Go to the “My Colleges” tab
   Select one of the colleges you’re applying to.

3. Click on “Recommenders and FERPA”
   You’ll need to complete the FERPA release authorization before adding recommenders.

4. Complete the FERPA Release Authorization

   • Read and sign the FERPA waiver.

   • Most students choose to waive their right to see recommendations (this is required to move forward).

   • Submit your FERPA decision.

5. Add a Teacher Recommender

   • After completing FERPA, scroll down to the Teacher section.

   • Click “Invite Recommender”

   • Enter your teacher’s full name and school email address (make sure it’s correct!).

   • Select the subject they taught you and their title.

6. Assign the Teacher to Specific Colleges

   • After inviting your teacher, you must assign them to each college that requires or allows a recommendation.

   • Click the “Assign” button next to each college where you want the letter sent.

7. Follow Up

   • Let your teacher know you've sent the request and give them a copy of your resume.

   • Be sure to thank them and give them plenty of time before your deadlines.

Resumes allow you to elaborate on some of the criteria you were not able to share in the application.  

Resumes are commonly requested for scholarship applications.