Many colleges (the majority private) will require or prefer a letter of recommendation for admission, scholarship consideration or admission to a specific program such as the honors program. Colleges will differ when it comes to who the recommendation may be from and how many are needed. Some will provide a form for the recommendation to be completed on. There are even a few institutions that ask for a letter of recommendation from a peer or a personal reference.

It is very important that letters for recommendation come from people who you know well. Recommendations provide valuable insight about you. They can explain your strengths, personality, leadership, work ethic, unusual life circumstances, motivation, creativity, family situations, character and more. Give careful consideration to who you ask to write your letter(s) of recommendation.

Secondary School Report Form

The application at most private institutions and some public will provide you with a secondary school report form for your counselor to complete. These forms typically ask information about the high school you attend (size of senior class, middle 50% on the ACT or SAT I for the past graduating class, % of the graduating class attending two or four year institutions, grading scale, etc.) as well as about you. Much of the information about you can be found on your high school transcript though many forms ask the counselor to comment on your strength of curriculum, character leadership achievement in relation to peers, and creativity.  Counselors complete the form and attach their own comments.

What if I don't feel that my guidance counselor knows me well enough to complete a recommendation form?

If this is the case, and it is in many instances given the large number of students most counselors work with, make sure you take the time to meet with your counselor. Discuss your college plans, possible career paths, extra curricular activities, standardized testing scores, community service, long and short term goals, high school curriculum and any possible deficiencies you may have for the schools you are applying to. It is wise to provide them with a copy of your resume and even a class writing sample that talks about you.

What teacher should I ask to write a letter and when?

Ask a teacher who knows you well and ask early. The best teacher recommendation does not always come from the teacher who gave you an "A" but from the one who watched you improve greatly and the one who can also comment on what you are like both in and out of the classroom (coaches, club moderators, advisors). It is recommended that you ask a teacher from the junior or senior year and from an academic subject area (math, English, science, social studies, foreign language). If you are a student who is considering a major in the visual or performing arts then you may ask a teacher in that discipline.

There are a few institutions that will be specific on the discipline that the recommendation comes from (for example English teacher), follow all directions carefully and give the appropriate forms if applicable. It is also nice to provide the teacher(s) with a stamped addressed envelope for each institution that should receive your letter of recommendation.

Provide the teacher(s) with your resume and go over deadlines and expectations in person. Your teacher will know about your performance in their classroom; however, most are not versed about all of your activities, service and leadership. Give your recommenders plenty of time to write your letter(s), usually a minimum of two weeks is suggested, three to four weeks is appreciated. Check to see if your school has a policy about recommendations.

It's also nice to send a thank you letter to those who write on your behalf. They spend a great deal of time and energy on recommendation letters outside of the regular school day.

What is the Buckley Amendment?

The Buckley Amendment is a waiver to see your letter of recommendation. Often colleges will ask that you waive your right to see a letter of recommendation. Signing the waiver gives the recommender the flexibility to write freely about you. If you do not trust the recommender, then you should not have asked them.