Getting a Recommendation Letter

I know recommendation letters play a vital role in our college applications. I was wondering if anyone could share examples or experiences on what makes a strong recommendation letter? What things should I ask my teachers to emphasize in their letters?

Indeed, recommendation letters play a crucial part in your college applications and can add depth to your profile. While it is important to ask a teacher who knows you well, it equally matters what they discuss in their recommendation. Here are a few key elements that illuminate a student's merit in the recommendation letter:

1. Academic Rigor: The recommender can outline the challenging coursework you've undertaken and how you've handled it. They can give examples of your critical thinking, depth of learning, intellectual curiosity, and creativity in particular subjects or projects.

2. Character: Teachers can speak to your character traits essential for college success, like resilience, determination, empathy, or open-mindedness. They might discuss your integrity and moral compass, and how you interact and collaborate within the school community.

3. Commitment: The teacher could highlight your commitment to learning and improvement. They could draw attention to moments when you sought feedback, put extra effort into your work, and were consistent in your dedication to subject mastery.

4. Leadership and Initiative: When students show leadership or initiative in the classroom, it helps colleges picture them as future contributors to their campus. A recommendation letter might chronicle when you've asked insightful questions, helped your classmates, or pursued independent research or projects.

5. Growth: Talking about growth over time is appealing. Recommenders might share anecdotes where they've observed you grew, overcame obstacles, or took on increasingly difficult coursework with grit.

Remind your teachers that it is not a laundry list of all you have accomplished, but rather a vivid narrative illustrating a personal view of you as a student and person. Ask them to share specific anecdotes that lend weight to the qualities they attribute to you, as specific personal examples can make the recommendation come alive. Also, it could be insightful if they compare you to other students they've taught in terms of your qualities and achievement.

Remember, your goal is to help the admissions officer understand the unique strengths and talents you would bring to the institution. So stressing these elements can help you maximize the impact of your recommendation letters.