Letter of Recommendation
Letters of Recommendation
A compelling recommendation from a teacher who knows you well provides colleges with an assessment of you as a student and person that goes beyond the numbers. Teachers can describe your scholastic ability in a way that’s more detailed than what letter grades provide, and they can also speak to qualities like personal integrity, which are prized by colleges, but may not be fully reflected on your transcript.
For schools with exceptionally competitive admissions processes, letters of recommendation can also become more important. At a very competitive school with a large applicant pool made up of highly qualified high-school students, many applicants will have achieved high grades and major accomplishments, so it’s more difficult for a student to stand out based on academic work alone.
In these cases, recommendations can have a palpable impact on how the college assesses an applicant. Highly competitive schools don’t just want to know that you have succeeded in high school; they want to know whether you have the personal qualities, like intellectual curiosity and dedication, that you’ll need to take advantage of all the opportunities that school has to offer.
Choose your references well and treat them with the utmost courtesy...you never know how many you may need and when you will need them. Here are some things to remember:
Keep them informed of your activities. The better they know you, the better they can write about you.
Visit with your teachers even if only to stop by to say hello.
Do your best in every class. Teachers remember if you worked hard or put in the extra effort. They notice your leadership and your positive attitude and they tell other teachers about you. As a general rule, students who are active in school or community related activities are easier to write about because they are familiar to the staff and faculty.
Join 2-3 clubs or sports and stay actively involved over several years.
Volunteer your time in a community program, or better yet, develop a project on your own that is unique and enjoyable to do while giving back to your community.
Develop a Resume.
Ask for a LOR ahead of time! The suggested two weeks is the minimum time to give your recommenders.
Here is a video that will provide you with tips when requesting a letter of recommendation from your teachers: Letter of Recommendation Video
BLACK AND GOLD PACKET
You must complete if applying to any college requiring a Counselor Letter of Recommendation and/or a School Report.
(Examples of colleges that REQUIRE this are: ALL schools using the Common Application, Coalition Application, Universal Application, University of Portland, Creighton Univeristy, etc.) If you are not sure, please check the college's website or PLEASE ASK!
The BLACK & GOLD PACKET is made up of 4 documents : All items must be completed and submitted to Mrs. Inaba in order for a Letter of Recommendation and/ or School Report to be submitted on your behalf. If Official Transcripts are also required, please also submit required documents.
Personal Data Sheet is a sample template. ( Feel free to adapt as needed.) (Create on separate Word or Google Doc.)
Self-Inventory Questionnaire (Answer on separate Word or Google Doc.)
College List Template (Answer on separate Excel or Google Sheet.)
Student Evaluation Form: Please download form, fill in your name, teacher's name, subject taught, and send to 3 teachers to complete. Two must be from CORE teachers. Teachers should submit directly to Mrs. Inaba . Provide them with the link found below.
Submit your Personal Data Sheet, Self-Inventory Questionnaire, and College List Template by uploading to the following link:
If the college(s) require an Official Transcript, please submit Official Transcript request forms. Transcript Request Information
Click on buttons below to download forms.
(You must be logged into your McKinley email to access documents.)
Students, are you looking to ask for a letter of recommendation? If so, please click on the links to learn more
Letters of recommendation give the admissions committee a sense of who you are, not just academically, but also as a person."—Ryan Carroll, Admissions Counselor Learn more HERE!
