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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How do I request strong letters of recommendation?

Hey all! I'm a junior in the process of selecting teachers to write me letters of recommendation for college applications. What's the best way to approach them, and how can I ensure I receive a high-quality recommendation? Any tips would be great, thank you!

11 months ago

Hey there! It's great that you're being proactive about getting strong letters of recommendation. I've got a few tips to help you out:

1. Choose teachers who know you well: Select teachers who have taught you in your junior or senior year and have seen your academic growth. Try to pick teachers from subjects you excel in or have demonstrated significant improvement.

2. Request early: Give your teachers plenty of time to write a thoughtful recommendation; a month or two in advance is ideal. Teachers often receive multiple requests, so it's essential to be considerate of their time.

3. Prepare a 'brag sheet': Create a document with your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and future goals. This will make it easy for your teachers to write a specific and personalized letter.

4. Be polite and gracious: Approach your teachers with respect and express genuine gratitude for their help. Make sure to ask them if they'd feel comfortable writing a positive letter on your behalf.

5. Follow up and say thank you: After you've submitted your applications, send a thank you note expressing your gratitude for their time and effort. Keeping them in the loop about your college journey is a thoughtful gesture.

Best of luck with your college applications!

11 months ago

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