It's beginning to look like college application
time!
Everywhere teachers go
Is a senior with an app, and an activity
sheet to adapt
To a recommendation that makes that
student glow.
High school teachers, are you in hiding yet? No, not from
administrators in search of your yearly objectives, parents with daily requests
for Bubba and Zelda’s progress in your
classes, or students bearing glossy order catalogs for yet another fundraiser,
but from seniors-specifically seniors seeking the November 1st
deadline for early admissions.
Oh, don’t forget about those searching for a college with a January
deadline or one with rolling admissions – they’ll be ba-a-a-ack for your
recommendation that they are sure will guarantee them admission to post high
school, academia, but that’s then…not now.
Right now you are staring at papers to grade, plans to prepare, parent
night and maybe even midterms. On top of all of that, you already have said,
“Okay,” to writing recommendation letters for a dozen students who admission
committees will deem anywhere from, “Yes!” to, “Hmmm. Let’s talk about this one”
to, “No. Not for us.”
Writing recommendation letters is a daunting professional task, no
matter whether a student has demonstrated superior, above average or average
capabilities. A concise and precise
letter that addresses a specific senior’s academic, athletic, extracurricular
and community strengths in a way that allows that person to stand out from
other equally capable applicants is a stressful
experience.
My product, Recommendations – How
to Write Recommendation Letters for College Applications, will benefit all
of you still leading classrooms- from veterans who desire another option in
your repertoire to new hires who have never written a college recommendation.
Included in this packet are
Qualities to Address
- academic, athletic and personal prowess;
- points to
consider, especially for students whose academic record could benefit from an
educator’s viewpoint;
- what to avoid as well as what to include;
- a basic letter format, and
- a list of adjectives and phrases to guide
teachers though the process.
What Each Recommendation Should Include
- The course(s) you taught this
student
- Qualities to Address: The student’s academic strengths, exceptional
character traits, extracurricular activities, jobs, awards, etc.
- Points to Consider are
exceptional assignments, the student’s attitude toward learning, peer
interactions, intellectual curiosity, etc.
What Each Recommendation Letter Should Avoid
- Repetitive thoughts, comments, generalities
- A form letter voice and appearance
- Writing more than one page
Letter Format:
Note: The examples in this
section are from a letter for an above average student; for all of the letters,
I changed the name to the generic John Doe/Jane Doe to protect every
student’s privacy; I also changed the names of anything to do with my school to Blank.
Heading:
To: Dean of Admissions: Yale University
From: Constance Casserly, English Teacher: Blank High School
Re: John C. Doe (his social security number might be required)
Date: September 22, 2015
Introductory paragraph:
·
Hook
·
Course(s) taught (Point A)
·
Transition sentence addressing the student’s
academic/thinking skills
Example:
“One of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching is to
encounter a student whose academic abilities, motivation and innovative
thinking are so apparent that the young person will never be forgotten. John
Doe is such a brilliant star. He has
been a stellar member of the Creative Writing 1, 2, 3 classes since he was a
freshman, and is taking the course this year without credit just to hone his
writing skills.
Because of his leadership abilities, his writing prowess and his
attention to detail, last year’s staff and I chose him as the Editor-in-Chief
of the 2016 edition of Blank, the high school’s literary and art magazine.
Consistently, John displays the kind of original thinking, initiative and
curiosity that I wish every student possessed.”
Body Paragraph(s):
These can vary from one to four. Just keep the whole letter, including
the closing and your signature to one page. (Points B and C)
Example:
“This young man’s divergent thinking skills run the gamut from the
concrete to the creative. The slant he takes in his writing reveals his
remarkably mature and innovative thought processes, while his work remains
insightful, logical and fluent. John can ascertain the subtle nuances of human
thought and behavior which he then transposes to his pieces with an astute
inner eye. Whether he is mimicking James Joyce’s stream-of-consciousness style
or crafting a political thriller, his pieces reveal realistic, dynamic
characters, believable plots, suspense and depth.
During writing analysis sessions, he cogently discusses his thoughts on
his work and that of his peers. The high standards that John sets for himself
are revealed every time he asks for clarification on critique comments. By not
being afraid to question his opinions or those of others, he demonstrates a powerful
desire to learn. His emotional maturity commands respect and allows him the
freedom to openly demonstrate his flexibility and acceptance of a wide range of
people and ideas. John’s writing, which is cerebral and compelling, is a rare
gift. Considering the many talented students I have encountered in my two-plus
decades of teaching writing, he ranks alongside only a half dozen in regard to
his creative flair and his ambition to succeed as a published writer.”
Concluding Paragraph:
·
Recap student’s strengths
·
Final thought
Example:
“John’s strong drive, combined with his quiet yet congenial nature,
makes him a joy to be around. With absolutely no reservations, I recommend him
for acceptance to CU Boulder. This talented young man is sure to surmount any
challenges you offer him with diligence, perseverance and intelligence.”
Closing:
Sincerely,
(Space for signature)
Type your full name
Also included in this packet is a list of adjectives and phrases to
guide teachers though the process. At the end of this offering are three sample
letters to show how all of these points can be meshed into a cohesive letter:
one each for superior, above average and average students.
Hopefully, Recommendations: How
to Write Recommendation Letters for College Applications will ease your qualms when one of your seniors
asks, “Could you please, please write me a recommendation letter?”
It's beginning to look like college application
time!
But secondary teachers all know
This packet will help them express, their
thoughts with such finesse
That their recommendation will make each
student glow.
Enjoy a Teach It Now Day, Every Day,
