How to Obtain a Teacher Letter of Recommendation

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How to Obtain a Teacher Letter of Recommendation
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If You Have Asked a Teacher

• To request a letter of recommendation from a
  teacher, follow these procedures
• Select a teacher who has knowledge of your
  accomplishments or academic and personal
  qualities who would write a positive letter
  distinguishing you from other applicants.
• Some colleges request your letters be written by
  teachers of particular subject areas and certain
  grade levels. Check the instructions in your
  admissions packet.
• Many of you asked a teacher last spring to write
  a letter. If so, go back to that teacher and
  present the materials necessary for mailing your
  letter included in this presentation.

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If You Have Not Asked a Teacher Yet

• If you have not asked a teacher, at an
  appropriate moment when your teacher is not
  encumbered by class business or surrounded by
  other students, ask politely if this teacher
  would be willing to write your letter.
• If you receive a positive response, you must now
  organize a packet of the materials your teacher
  will need to write an effective letter for you.
• If you are applying to more than one college
  requiring a letter, ask this teacher if he/she
  would mind generating one letter to be sent to
  several colleges.

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Last Dates to Submit Teacher Recommendation
Packets

• Early Decision or Early Action
• October 6th is the last day a Teacher
  Recommendation Packet can be submitted

• Other Admission Plans
• December 1st is the last date for all other
  deadlines or the letter to the college may be
  late.

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Submitting the Teacher Recommendation Packet

• Submit the following to your teacher at least
  three weeks prior to the first postmark deadline.
  Any student who gives less than three weeks
  notice must realize the letter(s) may not be
  submitted on time.

• 1. TEACHER RECOMMENDATION COVER SHEET stapled to
  the top outside cover of a manila folder.
  Included inside the folder should be the
  following
• 2. TEACHER RECOMMENDATION FORM taken from the
  admissions packet of each college. If you are
  requesting the same letter be duplicated for
  several colleges you will still need each
  colleges form included for your teacher. Fill
  out your section of the form.
• 3. ADDRESSED AND STAMPED ENVELOPE 8/12x 11
  inches, and two First Class stamps for each
  letter request.
• 4. STUDENT REQUEST for TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
  QUESTIONNAIRE (see following pages)
• 5. Resume a copy of your resume to assist this
  teacher in writing about you.

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Download Teacher Recommendation Packet

• Click here to download the Teacher Recommendation
  Packet

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1. Teacher Recommendation Packet Cover Sheet

• Stapled to the top outside cover of a manila
  folder. Included inside the folder should be the
  following

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2. Teacher Recommendation Form

• You will find something like this in the
  admissions packet of each college. Some colleges
  will not have a specific form but will ask that a
  teacher send a letter on school letterhead.
• If you are requesting the same letter be
  duplicated for several colleges you will still
  need each colleges form included for your
  teacher.
• Fill out your section of the form.

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3. Addressed and Stamped Envelope for Each
College

• 8/12x 11 inch envelope for each college, with two
  First Class stamps

Make sure there are two First Class Stamps on
each envelope
Write in the Saint Francis High School Address.
Office of Undergraduate Admissions Occidental
College 1600 Campus Road Los Angeles, CA 94001
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4. Student Request for Teacher Recommendation
Questionnaire
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5. College Essay

• Presenting a college essay will give your teacher
  more insight.
• Use the college essay written for your English
  class last year if no other essay is available.

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Check In

• Prior to the first deadline, politely check in
  with your teacher to see if any additional
  information is needed. This is also a way of
  reminding your teacher of the impending
  deadline(s).

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Thank Your Teacher

• Be sure to keep your teacher up to date on your
  admissions progress.
• A small thank you note or gift may be a nice way
  to show your appreciation.