Many selective colleges will require letters of recommendation for student applicants. Two evaluations by academic teachers (often one closely related to your intended field of study), and an evaluation by your counselor will cover all of the necessary requirements. Occasionally you may want to also include a special recommendation from a coach, activity moderator, or non-academic teacher who can provide an exceptional view of a particular area of interest or strength. If you are applying to public institutions in Utah, and meet the admissions index, recommendations are generally not necessary. Talk with the college counselors if you are uncertain.

For the logistics of requesting letters of recommendation, see "Application Procedures."

Whom to ask

Letters of recommendation give someone else’s personal insight about your academic potential, personal character, motivation, self-discipline, etc., and so the most effective letters are usually written by teachers who know you well. If you don’t feel comfortable asking a teacher for an evaluation, it may be best not to do so. But maybe now is the time to begin to develop a stronger bond with at least one of your teachers. You might be pleasantly surprised at the overall benefits this type of relationship can bring.

The most competitive colleges usually prefer letters from teachers of core academic courses (i.e., English, lab science, advanced math, social studies, and foreign language) who taught you during your 11th and 12th grades. Because these teachers have witnessed firsthand your strengths in their classrooms, they are often better able to assess your college potential than, for instance, an administrator who has not had such extended personal interaction with you. The college counselors, who write the counselor recommendations, will draw from teacher comments, as well as comments from your guidance counselor and your own comments on the Senior Survey Form, when writing their letter for you.

Consider a balance of your interests when selecting people to write your recommendations. For instance, recommendations from an English teacher, a math teacher, and a coach would give a broader picture than would recommendations from three math teachers.

The difference between teacher and counselor recommendations

Teacher recommendations generally focus on your work in a particular course, unless the teacher also knows you as a moderator for one of your activities. The counselor recommendation tries to give an overall picture of your academics (strength of curriculum, explain any discrepancies on the transcript), your character, and your contribution to the Judge community through activities, athletics, service, etc.

Giving enough time

When you request a letter, allow the teacher one month (that does not include vacation time) to complete it. Requesting it early will help you and the teacher avoid the last-minute rush to meet a critical deadline. The purple Recommendation Request Form available in the Counseling Center will remind you what to give teachers when requesting a recommendation (also outlined in the “Application Procedures” section of this website). Every student who needs a counselor recommendation must complete a Senior Survey Form (also available in the Counseling Center or online) for one of the college counselors before she can start on your letter.

Tips/Suggestions

• Make personal contact with the teacher or college counselor. DON’T assume the letter will be completed if you send the request by email or leave it in their room, office, or mail box. You may even arrange to meet with the teacher regarding your educational goals, performance in their class, or desires to attend a particular college or university. The more specific she or he can be in the recommendation, the better it will assist you. It isn’t necessary to request letters from different teachers each time you apply to another college. Teachers keep letters on file so that they can fulfill several requests.

• When the deadline approaches, it doesn’t hurt to respectfully ask the teacher, “I know you’re very busy, but I just wanted to see if you had had a chance to write that recommendation for me.”

• Be sure to thank each person who writes a letter for you.

USING A RESUME

Juniors will be asked to write a resume in their English classes in May of their junior year. This resume can be used for filling out the Extracurricular Activities, Community Service, and Work Experience sections of college applications. It could also prove useful in applying for summer jobs and scholarships.

The college counselors have handouts on file intended to walk students through writing the resume. Please see them if you have any questions.