Letters of Recommendation

When college admissions officers look at the applications, they begin to put together a picture for each individual.  Then some questions might come up regarding the applicants.  These questions can be: “Will this student need extra help in dealing with the rigors of our school?”  “Did something happen during his sophomore year to cause him to get a bad grade in Biology?”  Or about anything that seems a little out of place.  College admissions officers may need more information to answer those questions.

Letters of recommendation written by teachers of counselors are very important in explaining the person behind the numbers shown on the applications.  Letters of recommendation can explain about the personal side of the applicants.  They can explain any inconsistencies in GPA’s, family issues that prevented the applicants from achieving what they are truly capable of.  One letter of recommendation should come from the teacher the student intends to major in college. The second letter of recommendation should come from a teacher who taught a different subject, an English or teacher if the student intends to major in science and vice versa.  The counselor’s letter of recommendation can explain any family issues, student’s illness or any other personal matters and about the character of the student.

Make sure that your student asks the teacher who knows your child well enough to write a strong and personal recommendation.  Make sure to ask the teachers well in advance so that the teacher will have enough time to write a well-crafted letter.  To have someone write strong letters of recommendation, the student must have been active in the class with positive attitudes.