Boost Your College Application with Top-Quality Letters of Recommendation
Often, applying for college admission to your dream institution can leave you feeling like you've been reduced to nothing more than a series of
facts and figures: a GPA, a transcript, a laundry list of extracurricular activities.
And though these types of metrics make it easier for college admissions
officers buried under thousands of college applications determine who
might be the best fit for a particular institution, they often don't do the best job of conveying your unique personality, strengths, and passions.
That's exactly where a well-written letter of recommendation comes in. Required by many institutions, these personal testimonials from a teacher, mentor, or
community leader can add a great deal of depth and dimension to your
college application package.
Use this checklist to solicit top-notch letters of recommendation that will significantly increase your chances of being admitted to your first-choice school.
Check List for Letters of Recommendation
Consider your options carefully. Before making a selection, think about factors such as: In which of your classes or extracurricular activities have
you truly excelled? Which contenders would likely make the most favorable impression on the college admissions committee?
Speak with your preferred letter writers six to eight weeks in advance. Begin the conversation by asking whether he or she would feel comfortable
writing you a letter of recommendation. If they seem enthusiastic about the task, proceed by providing a rough overview of the timeline and the procedure.
Schedule a consultation appointment. If it's been a while since you've spent time with your mentor or teacher, it may be beneficial to meet with them
to go over your college admissions plans and your high school achievements. This meeting is also a good time to hand over any documents or paperwork that is
required by each college.
If necessary, send a friendly reminder. If the submission deadline is looming and you haven't heard back from your letter writers, feel free to drop
them a brief email or postcard reminding them of the due date and offering your contact information in case they have any last-minute questions.
A sky-high GPA and an impressive roster of completed courses may be enough to get you in the door, but a personal endorsement from a trusted teacher or mentor
who knows you well can often be the deciding factor in a competitive college admissions process. That's why it's crucial to devote sufficient time and
consideration to the process of selecting the right people to write letters of recommendation on your behalf.
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