Are letters of recommendation really that important?

Hello! I've heard mixed opinions about the importance of letters of recommendation. How important are they really in the college admissions process? Should I be stressing about getting good ones? Thanks in advance!

Hello! It's understandable that you might be feeling a bit stressed about letters of recommendation, especially since people have different opinions on their importance. In my experience with my own child's college application process, I found that letters of recommendation do play a role, but they may not be as critical as other factors like your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities. That being said, having strong letters can definitely help your application stand out and showcase your strengths from another perspective. So, while I wouldn't say you should stress too much about it, it's certainly worth putting some effort into finding teachers or mentors who know you well and can speak to your abilities and character in a positive light. Make sure to give them ample time to write the letter and provide any necessary information about yourself. Best of luck in the application process!