When building a strong application for college admissions, students often overlook the importance of letters of recommendation. Instead, they focus solely on their Common Application essays, standardized test scores, and extracurricular engagement.
Of course, these are all important components of the application process. However, letters of recommendation give admissions officers at highly selective universities keen insights on your character, dedication, and passion for learning. In other words, they shed light on qualities that might not come through in other parts of your application.
At InGenius Prep, we believe that forming strong relationships with teachers and counselors is key to creating impactful letters of recommendation. Here’s why these connections matter for your candidacy building.
Why Letters of Recommendation Matter
Letters of recommendation offer a third-party perspective that validates and enhances the story you tell in your application. Admissions officers use these letters to assess:
- Your academic abilities in context: Teachers highlight how you engage with material, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and contribute to the classroom environment. Admissions officers at elite colleges and universities assess your academic performance compared to your classmates and region. Letters of recommendation from your teachers also help them understand your achievements and see how you stand out within the context of your school.
- Your personal qualities: School counselors and teacher recommenders speak to your character, resilience, and potential fit for a college. This helps admissions officer evaluate applicants’ personal qualities and characters in addition to their academic achievement and extracurricular engagement.
Remember, many colleges emphasize a holistic review process. What this means is that U.S. universities look beyond merely grades and test scores to admit top applicants.
Of course, you must still meet a college’s academic threshold to make admissions possible. But this is only but one of the key factors that determine admission. The other factors are leadership, diversity, and your application persona.
To understand how much a university or college values each factor, look no further than their Common Data Set. For example, in the most recent admissions cycle, Columbia University viewed letters of recommendation as “Very Important” in their admissions process. Similarly, Dartmouth College also considers character and personal qualities as well as letters of recommendation to be “Very Important.”
With this in mind, strong and clear recommendations can significantly increase your strength in each of these other factors. In doing so, letters of recommendation improve your admissions chances and add depth to your academic and extracurricular achievements.
The Foundation of Great Letters of Recommendation: Relationships
You should not treat building a meaningful relationship with your teachers and counselors as a last-minute task. You must exert consistent effort over time to cultivate these connections — not during senior year or even just junior year. Further, you should also consider the following:
Engage Proactively in the Classroom
Be more than a passive participant. Ask thoughtful questions, contribute to discussions, and show genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter. To do this, I recommend preparing your questions and discussion contributions on paper or your computer.
Also, reflect on the insights you gain from your questions and reactions to your discussion contributions. Including those insights into future essays or reviewing STEM material beyond your current level can go a long way. Teachers are more likely to write strong recommendations for students who actively participate and do well in class.
Leverage Office Hours and Meetings
Make use of your teacher’s office hours, whether or not you’re struggling with course material. Further, meet with your counselor to discuss your academic goals, challenges, or career plans. This is especially important if you are struggling to master material in a certain class. Doing so not only demonstrates initiative but also gives them a fuller understanding of who you are.
Be Transparent and Organized
Write a brag sheet to help your recommenders craft detailed and personalized letters. If you are in need of a template, the Common App provides templates for brag sheets here.
Through these cover letters, you can also provide anecdotes and insights that teachers can then use in their letters to showcase your strengths. This can include a project you’re proud of or a challenge you’ve overcome. For example, you may have centered under-appreciated youth artists through an in-person Youth Art Exhibition. Or, you might have hosted a virtual Youth Research Symposium, bringing together young scholars sharing your biology and STEM passion.
Whatever your signature project(s) may be, you should tout them in your brag sheets and/or cover letters. At InGenius Prep, our counselors also assist students write tailored cover letters for their teachers.
Meet with your High School Counselor on a Quarterly Basis during School Year
Meeting with your school counselor this regularly keeps them updated on your academic progress, extracurricular activities, and college goals. Remember, counselors communicate directly with the colleges you’re applying to. They share important documents with universities, such as your transcript, the School Profile, and a letter of their own.
That is why building this relationship early is so important. Doing so ensures they remember who you are and can write a detailed and personalized recommendation for your applications. Further, they can also be quite helpful in advising you on addressing any unique school circumstances in your applications.
Best Practices for Requesting Letters of Recommendation
When it’s time to ask for a recommendation, follow these steps to ensure your request is professional and well-received:
Ask Early
Teachers and counselors need time to write thoughtful letters. Ideally, approach them at least two months before the deadline and request their contact information to add to your Common App. Meet with your school counselor during the spring of your junior year to inquire about your school’s specific timeline for letters of recommendation requests. Each school tends to have their own timeline and approach to advising rising seniors in their college application journeys.
Make the Ask Personal
Whenever possible, request your letter(s) of recommendation in person. The reason for this is two-fold: first, doing so helps you gauge a teacher’s eagerness to write a compelling letter. As I always advise students, ask your teacher whether they would be willing to write a favorable letter. Further, it can also demonstrate initiative and leave a positive impression on your teacher.
Once your teachers agree to write the letter, express gratitude for their support and highlight why you value their perspective. You can do this in a follow-up email or even in a hand-written note.
Provide Resources Ahead of Time
I recommend that you share “brag sheets,” or guides, that outline key points you’d like teachers to mention. In this brag sheet, list all of your extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, summer programs, research endeavors, and more. This is not the time to be humble. Your teachers should know the full extent of your accomplishments, interests, and background for your best interest.
You should also share your personal statement or supplemental essay drafts with your teachers and counselors. This will help align your application strategy, while also potentially receiving another source of valuable feedback.
This ensures they have all the information they need to write a strong, tailored letter. As mentioned above, InGenius Prep counselors can also assist you with putting together this guide.
Follow Up Politely
Check in closer to the deadline to confirm submission and offer additional resources if needed. Ivy League schools, top national universities, and liberal arts colleges usually give teachers grace in submitting their letters of recommendation. You can keep track of your teacher’s letters through your Common App and the school portals for the schools to which you applied.
Say Thank You
After you submit your letters, a thank-you note or email shows appreciation for their time and effort.
School-Specific Letter of Recommendation Requirements
In addition to following these best practices and building teacher relationships, remember to consider a school’s specific letters of recommendation requirements.
Typically, you should aim to request letters from one STEM teacher and one humanities or social sciences teacher. Of course, you should also ask for letters from teachers who will write positively about you and from classes where you did well. Indeed, many universities and colleges do not have this requirement.
However, there are schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology that do. That is why you should work toward cultivating relationships with all of your teachers, both STEM and non-STEM alike.
Final Thoughts
A standout letter of recommendation doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s the result of collaboration between the student and recommender. By sharing specific stories and qualities you want highlighted, you help your recommender. This also makes sure the letter fits your application.
Remember, what your teachers and counselors say in their letters reflects the relationships you’ve built throughout high school. Through fostering genuine connections and preparing thoughtfully for “the ask,” you can secure recommendations that truly elevate your application. With intentional effort and the right guidance, your LORs can become a powerful tool in telling your unique story.
Ready to take your college application to the next level? InGenius Prep is here to help! Our expert counselors can guide you through every step, ensuring your application showcases your best self. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your college dreams!
