What to Include on a Brag Sheet in Naviance?

So, I'm currently working on my brag sheet in Naviance and kinda feel lost. What's essential to include/not include? How detailed should I be when describing my achievements? Any advice for making it useful for my counselor's recommendation letter?

A brag sheet, also known as a "student self-evaluation" or "resume," is a valuable tool for helping your counselor write a well-informed recommendation letter. Here are some tips on what you should include in your brag sheet and how to make it effective:

1. Academic Achievements: Summarize your academic accomplishments, including awards, honor roll placements, and any scholarships you've received. Mention any hard courses you've taken, such as AP or honors classes, along with your grades and class rank (if available).

2. Extracurricular Activities: List all of your extracurricular involvements, including clubs, organizations, sports teams, and after-school programs. Emphasize your leadership roles and significant contributions to these activities.

3. Community Involvement: Include any volunteer work, community service projects, or internships you've participated in. Detail the organizations and causes you've supported, specifying the impact you've made.

4. Work Experience: Describe any part-time jobs, summer employment, or freelance work you've done, emphasizing skills you've gained and responsibilities you've had.

5. Personal Growth: Talk about significant personal experiences, challenges, and achievements that might not be evident from your academic record or resume. This section provides context for your counselor's recommendation letter and makes it more personal.

6. Future Goals: Outline your post-high school plans or career goals to give your counselor a sense of what you're striving for and where your interests lie.

7. Keep it clear and concise: When describing your achievements and involvement, be specific but brief. Use bullet points and short phrases when possible to make it easy for your counselor to navigate and understand.

8. Organize it: Arrange the brag sheet in a logical order, such as chronological or by category (e.g., academics, extracurriculars, community service). This makes it more reader-friendly.

9. Be honest: Be truthful when describing your achievements and experiences. Don't exaggerate or embellish, as it may lead to an unauthentic recommendation letter.

10. Include anything unique: Incorporate any skills, interests, or qualities that set you apart from other students. This can be anything from speaking multiple languages to having a unique hobby. Adding these elements gives your counselor more to work with when crafting your recommendation letter.

Remember, your brag sheet serves as a comprehensive overview of your high school accomplishments for your counselor. By following these guidelines, you'll provide them with the information they need to write a strong, personalized recommendation letter, which can help enhance your college applications.