Need help understanding recommendation letters

Hey guys, my guidance counselor told me about needing recommendation letters. Could anyone show me a sample recommendation letter for students or explain what needs to be included in it? Do certain colleges prefer certain types of letters? Thanks.

Sure, happy to help clarify the role of recommendation letters in the college application process!

Typically, colleges require two types of recommendation letters: one from a guidance counselor and one or two from teachers. The purpose of these letters is to provide insight into your character, skills, potential, and experiences beyond what they can see in your grades, test scores, or extracurricular activities.

The structure of a recommendation letter typically includes an explanation of how the recommender knows you, specific anecdotes or examples that highlight your strengths, and an assessment of your ambitions or personality in the context of your peers.

While I can't show you a physical example of a recommendation letter due to confidentiality reasons, a strong teacher recommendation letter would typically emphasize and provide concrete examples of your intellectual curiosity, leadership, commitment to learning, resilience in the face of challenges, creativity, original thought, or social awareness.

A guidance counselor recommendation tends to be more holistic and covers your academic performance, extracurricular involvement, strengths and potential, and personal growth over the last few years. The counselor letter serves to give admissions officers a sense of your role and impact within the larger context of your high school community.

Colleges typically do not insist on "certain types" of letters, but there are some nuances based on the type of school or major. For example, STEM-focused schools or programs might appreciate letters from math or science teachers, while liberal arts colleges may find a letter from a humanities teacher helpful. However, in general, colleges are most interested in those who can speak to your abilities, diligence, and personality, regardless of the subject area.

One thing to note is that specific programs, summer internships or scholarships may indeed have specific requirements for their letters of recommendation, such as needing a letter from a coach, community service coordinator, or from someone who can speak to a specific skill or attribute.

I hope this helps provide some clarity! Recommendation letters are a significant part of your application and a well-done letter can really bolster your application by providing a third-party perspective on your capabilities and personal qualities.