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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 the order they should be completed.

1.  Create a list of adults (educators, counselors, employers, volunteer organization supervisors, etc.) you want to ask to write letters of recommendation on your behalf.

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

3.  For the online letters of recommendations, "invite" your teachers and counselor to submit their letters of recommendation online through the Common Application, Universal College Application, or individual college websites. For paper recommendation forms, fill in the upper portion of teacher and counselor Recommendation Forms with your personal information (name, address, date of birth, high school, etc.).

4.  Prepare a packet of documents for each recommender; providing the following documents will help them complete their letters of recommendation. Paper-clip together a cover letter (for teachers or counselors), all paper Recommendation Forms, an unofficial copy of your grade transcripts, and a copy of your student résumé.  If you don’t have a résumé, fill out and include a Counselor Information Sheet with your packet of documents so teachers and counselor(s) will know your history and accomplishments.

6.  Hand deliver your packet of documents to each teacher and counselor 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,  a copy of your student résumé, a list of the mailing addresses to each college, and pre-addressed, stamped envelopes to each college. Give these documents to each recommender.  If you don’t have a résumé , fill out a Counselor Information Sheet and include it with documents you are providing to recommenders so they will know your history and accomplishments.

8.  When requesting letters of recommendation from employers, volunteer organization supervisors, or other adults, hand deliver all documents.  You should explain your request in-person so you can answer any questions recommenders may have.

9.  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. You can check the status of letters of recommendation submitted online by your teachers and counselor through the Common Application, Universal College Application, or individual college websites.

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