Get Started – Letters of Recommendation

Below is a condensed list of the MyCollegeCalendar recommended tasks for requesting recommendations from teachers, counselors, and other adults.  The tasks are listed in chronologic order.

1.  Create a list of adults (educators, counselors, employers, volunteer organization supervisors, etc.) you wish to write letters of recommendation (or to complete Recommendation Forms) on your behalf.

2.  Compose a cover letter detailing your request.  Your teachers, counselor(s), and other adult recommenders must clearly understand all your information and what is expected of them.

3.  Fill in the upper portion of teacher and counselor Recommendation Forms with your personal information (name, address, date of birth, high school, etc.).

4.  Give all Recommendation Forms to teachers and counselor(s) at the same time in complete document packets.  Paper-clip together the cover letter, all Recommendation Forms, and a copy of your student résumé and give this recommendation “packet” to each teacher and counselor.  If you don’t have a résumé, complete and submit a Counselor Information Sheet with your “packet” so teachers and counselor(s) will know your history and accomplishments.

6.  Hand delivery all documents to teachers and counselor(s) when you ask for their help with recommendations.  This way you can explain your request in-person and answer any questions they may have.

7.  When requesting letters of recommendation from employers, volunteer organization supervisors, or other adults, paper-clip together a cover letter,  and copy of your student résumé and give to each recommender.  If you don’t have a résumé , complete and provide a Counselor Information Sheet so recommenders will know your history and accomplishments.

8.  Hand delivery all documents when requesting letters of recommendation from employers, volunteer organization supervisors, or other adults.  You should explain your request in-person and answer any questions recommenders may have.

9.  When making in-person requests, ask each teacher, counselor, and other adult recommender if they are willing to return their recommendations to you so you can mail them with other required college application materials in one envelope using U.S. Certified Mail with a Return Receipt.  If they prefer to mail their recommendations directly to each college, provide them with self-addressed, stamped envelopes to each college.

10.  Check back with your teachers, counselor(s) and other adult recommenders in 2-to-3 weeks to see how they are progressing with your recommendations.

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