Letter of Recommendation Workshop

1
Letter of Recommendation Workshop

• Presented
• by the
• BHS Counseling Department
• Fall 2009

2
Teacher Recs. vs. Counselor Recs.

• Whats the difference?
• Secondary School Reports go to counselors
• Counselor Letter All-encompassing
• Teacher Evaluations go to teachers
• Teacher letter Subject-specific
• Etiquette
• Would you consider writing me a letter of
  recommendation?
• Do you feel you could right me a good letter?
• Give ample time for them to write a letter
• Fill out all forms (details on a later slide)

3
Important Dates

• Secondary School Reports must be turned in to
  your counselor at least ONE MONTH prior to due
  date
• January 1st due date ? Turn in December 1st
  (Counselors need a break too!)
• Late forms to counselors late forms to colleges

4
What should I fill out before I give the form to
my counselor?

• Secondary School Report
• Each university has their own form of a report to
  give to counselors
• You can find them on the individual colleges
  websites.
• If you are using the common application, you will
  find one secondary school report that you can
  give to your counselor and he/ she will make
  copies to send to all the schools to which you
  are applying
• The counselors need the actual forms. We do not
  send materials electronically
• Your name, Address, etc.
• School
• Courses in progress
• Social Security number
• Sign waiver statement
• Counselors name
• School Address
• CEEB code 4130472
• BHS School code 050410
• Information can be found on the BHS website or
  each counselor has a business card

5
What about envelopes?

• Secondary School Report
• Two 42 cent stamps
• Student puts address of college/university
• Student puts return address of BHS (not home
  address)
• Midyear Report
• One 42 cent stamp
• Student puts address of college university
• Student puts return address of BHS
• Majority of universities accept business
  size/standard envelopes
• If use large manila envelopes, postage will vary.
  Best to take envelope to post office and weigh it
  with several pieces of paper inside

6
What else can I give my counselor?

• Letter of recommendation packet
• The packets are in the counseling office
• Theres a section you fill out about that helps
  us learn more about your college choices,
  aspirations, activities, etc. Its like a resume
• Teacher evaluations
• The packet contains two sheets that you give to
  two different teachers. Teachers will return
  these to us. This is to help us get to know you
  in a different way
• Always remember time frame and plan ahead!!

7
I love my counselor what else can I do to make
her life easier?

• Give her/ him stuff!
• Resume
• List of activities
• Travel experiences
• Special talents/circumstances
• Interests/goals/volunteerism
• Detailed account of 3 important things
• Copy of college essay/personal statement
• English project
• Anything else you can think of!

8
What about transcripts?

• They must be OFFICIAL
• Jeannette Gomez is in charge!
• She is located in the counseling office
• Completely fill out a request form
• Mark the spot that says Give to my counselor
  and write your counselors name
• They cost 5.00 each
• Allow time for processing

9
What about format?

• All information on forms should be typed or very
  neatly written in pen
• Give your counselor a file folder with all
  materials
• Give all materials at once
• On outside of folder, list colleges and due dates
  (earliest first)

10
How should I give all my college stuff to my
counselor?

• Name of student (on front of folder and on tab)
• Name of College Due Date
• 1. Stanford December 15
• 2. Occidental January 1
• 3. USD January 15
• Midyear Reports
• 1. Stanford February 1
• 2. Occidental No midyear, no grades
• 3. USD Send grades only
• Put colleges in order of due datesearliest
  first
• Indicate if schools require midyear reports.
  Make sure we know what you want sent