A Student’s Survival Kit –

Teacher Recommendations

by Jill F. VonGruben

As early as possible, get the required recommendations for college applications and scholarship applications. During your junior year, is not too early. Pick teachers who know you well and respect and like you. A recommendation written by someone who doesn’t know you is often not useful.

Be courteous and don’t wait until the last minute. Give your teacher plenty of time to think and write. Keep in mind that the majority of deadlines fall either right before or right after winter holiday break. The teachers you ask recommendations of are also being asked for recommendations from many other students. Teachers have family responsibilities, too, and papers to grade over the holidays in addition to your senior recommendations.

Remember to give them as much information as possible including:

· What is it for?

· What is the deadline?

· Does it get mailed directly to the university or sent to high school guidance office?

If it gets mailed directly to the university, supply the addressed envelope and stamp.

· Supply a copy of your student resume to help fill in the teacher’s knowledge of you.

In addition to personal comments, teachers are often asked to rate the following for each student:

· Academic motivation

· Academic self-discipline

· Leadership

· Warmth of personality

· Personal initiative

· Respect accorded by faculty toward the student

And always remember to say, even better – write, a “thanks” to the teacher.

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Adapted (©2001) from “The last lap,” Chapter 7, College Countdown: The Parent’s and Student’s Survival Kit for the College Admissions Process. by Jill F. VonGruben ©2000 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-135290-2

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