References and Bragsheets

It is important to remember that you do not request or submit references yourself. Universities expect them to come directly from the school to maintain credibility. For UK applications (via UCAS), a single school reference is attached to every course you apply to. For US, Canadian, and other international applications, additional teacher recommendations may be required. In all cases, these are coordinated through the counselling office to ensure deadlines are met and the correct format is followed.

To support a strong reference, students are encouraged to share their achievements, activities, and goals with the counsellor early in the year. Keeping your record on Unifrog updated and scheduling regular check-ins will help us highlight your strengths accurately. A thoughtful and detailed reference can make a real difference in competitive applications, so treat this as a collaborative process with your counsellor.

1. Students must speak with their university counsellor about who they are considering as potential referees.

2. Students must complete and submit a Brag Sheet at least 4–6 weeks before the relevant university deadline. This should be thorough and include specific details. - This is designed to support the reference writing process.

3. Once the Brag Sheet is received, the designated teacher will prepare the reference letter and submit it directly to the University Counselling Office.

4. The University Counselling Office will collate references, transcripts, and other required documents and send them to universities directly.

5. All application materials, including references, must be submitted to the counselling office two weeks before the official university deadline to ensure timely processing. Please note that this is two working weeks. eg not including holidays.

6. References from individuals outside of SISQ (such as coaches or internship supervisors, when allowed by universities) must be sent directly from the referee to the counsellor. SISQ cannot accept references forwarded by students or parents.

7. If a university does not require references, they should not be sent, as this can slow down application processing.

8. References are never released to students or parents. They are only sent directly from SISQ to universities in order to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and credibility.

The University Counselling Office and teaching staff are committed to presenting accurate, complete, and up-to-date information in all references, in line with the professional standards set by NACAC.

What is a Brag Sheet?

A brag sheet is a document students fill out to give teachers and counsellors the information they need to write strong, personalised reference letters. It is not actual bragging — it is a helpful, honest reflection on achievements, experiences, and goals that might not be obvious from a transcript.

Why is it important?

Teachers and counsellors often know students in specific contexts (like in class or leadership roles), but a brag sheet provides:

• Context for achievements outside school

• Specific details and reflections

• Career or university goals

• Personal traits and examples that back them up

This helps us write a more vivid and tailored reference — one that brings the student to life.

Your brag sheet will help us brag about you — so give us something great to work with! (And yes! I have sometimes just been given a list of things done! )