The process of preparing for college applications is akin to the process of building blocks, each piece is as important as the other. You may spend hours on your application essays, resume and college shortlist, but remember your letters of recommendation hold equal weightage.
The first step toward tackling your letters of reference is to choose your referees wisely.
Myth: Designation Matters
The general notion is that referees should be selected on the basis of their designations.
Let me bust that myth – the two most important factors that determine selection of referees are
a)how well the person knows you and
b) how well he/she can comment on your suitability for the program of study.
Moreover, remember that one size doesn’t fit all. Letter of reference/recommendation requirements vary as per program and country, it is imperative to take a tailored approach instead of blindly following your peers.
Undergraduate Applicants
For school students applying for undergraduate studies, selecting referees is a relatively simple process. A letter from your school counsellor or principal is mandatory. For letters from specific subject teachers, the requirement might vary between 1-3. Subject teachers aside, you can submit external letters of reference to many colleges if you wish to be endorsed for a specific aspect of your resume that is particularly strong. For example, if you have represented your school in basketball at the national level, your coach can write you a letter of reference.
Students often ask us which teachers should they ask for the letters of recommendation. And we always tell them, it should be the teacher who knows the students the most and can be expressive & communicative about what he/she brings to the class.
Ideally, it should be subjects the students are good at, cause that letter will display strong interest in the subject. But, the letters should also be written by teachers who know the students well and can write about how you have contributed to the class discussions, assignments and debates. That’s the kind of writing which will be far more beneficial for you than just submitting template letters of recommendations. Because admissions officer know when they are reading a template letter of recommendation. Those letters are pointless and boring! Letters should contain anecdotes and interesting stories that reveal the student’s personality. Stories are excellent for letting an admissions officer understand a student.
We help our students help their teachers with their letters of recommendation. And how? We help our students write anecdotes that they share with their teachers (which their teachers so often end up using). In order to be successful in college admissions — and in life — you’ve got to be dedicated and take charge of the situation!