Do colleges really care about letters of recommendation?

While letters of recommendation are just one part of your application, they do play an important role in the college admissions process. These letters provide admission representatives with valuable information that's not necessarily obvious from your college application alone.

Do colleges actually read letters of recommendation?

While this depends, to a degree, on the given school you're looking at, you shouldn't ever overlook the importance of a rec letter. “If a college requires recommendation letters, then those letters really do matter,” Ivey says. They're not asking for recommendation letters for no reason!

Does letter of recommendation look good for college?

Many colleges will require one or more letters of recommendation as part of the application process. The reason is because the perspective of those with whom you learn, work, interact, and serve is helpful in understanding your strengths, character, and potential.

How much do colleges look at recommendation letters?

But the letters are seen by colleges as more important than such factors as class rank, extracurricular activities and work experience. Are Letters Fair? Letters are the norm in competitive college admissions, with counselor letters required even at places that don't require teacher recommendations.

Do letters of recommendation make a difference?

Letters of recommendation are particularly valuable to admissions officers because the experiences that high school counselors and teachers describe can help them paint a better overall picture of who you are and the impact you will have on campus.

Elements of a strong recommendation letter

How impactful is a letter of recommendation?

Along with a strong personal statement, letters of recommendation are crucial to the success of your application process. They are important pieces of the puzzle that help to create a full picture of who you are as a candidate, a student and a person.

What are the disadvantages of a letter of recommendation?

Disadvantages: Limited scope: Personal recommendations are based on the individual's personal experience, which may be limited in scope and may not take into account other factors that could be important to you.

What happens if you only have two letters of recommendation?

Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don't overdo it. If a school wants two recommendation letters, only submit two.

What do colleges like in recommendation letters?

Those include letters that explain difficult personal circumstances, showcase remarkable achievements or reveal a student's personality. Effective recommendation letters help admissions officers imagine how a student could contribute to their class, Capezza says.

Is it okay to only have one letter of recommendation?

You might need anywhere from zero to four letters of recommendations. As mentioned above, the majority of colleges want to see at least an evaluation from your school counselor. On top of this, many colleges, especially those selecting on the basis of academic merit, seek one or two teacher recommendations.

What is a strong letter of recommendation?

Be specific.

Choose strong, accurate adjectives over general terms or cliches. Think about what the person reading the letter might want to know. Include details or insight that wouldn't necessarily show up on a resume or application. Your letter should help the recipient get to know the person you are recommending.

How many letters of rec is too much?

The number is basically professor-dependent.

While one professor might happily write 5 letters another might prefer to write only 1 or 2. Because this letter probably won't need to be customized for each program, some professors will be wiling to send 10 or more letters but others might decline such a request.

What happens if you don't submit a letter of recommendation?

Whether or not your college application will be considered if you do not send a letter of recommendation or any other required documents depends on the specific college's policy. Some colleges may review incomplete applications, while others may reject them outright.

Does it matter who writes your letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well and who have been responsible for evaluating your academic or professional work. Professors and workplace supervisors are both appropriate.

Is it OK if teacher recommendations are late?

When it's the teacher who's tardy, colleges won't penalize the student … at least to a point. If your daughter's references haven't arrived at Dickinson by the December 1 deadline, your daughter need not worry.

Can I ever read my letter of recommendation?

But when it comes time to choose, many students are unsure of the best option. Generally speaking, waiving your right to view your letters of recommendation is ideal. While you can retain the right to view them, many admissions officers consider waiving the right as more honest.

What makes a strong college recommendation letter?

Keep it concise. Summarize in one sentence how you know the student, identify their strengths, and provide 1-2 examples or stories. Use concrete examples, not generalizations. Tell stories that illustrate the student's character.

Who are the best people to write college recommendation letters?

Ask a trusted adult who is not your family member. This could be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, someone from your faith community, a boss, someone who you have volunteered with, etc. Pro Tip: Ask someone who has known you for a long time or who has seen you work hard at school, a job, or an extra-curricular activity.

How many letters of recommendation do most colleges require?

In short, the answer is typically three: one from the school counselor and two from teachers. But, of course, there's a longer answer too: it depends on the school and the circumstance. In most cases, however, the answer is three letters of recommendation.

What to do if I don t have enough letters of recommendation?

Reach out to mentors, coaches, or supervisors from extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or part-time jobs who can speak to your character and abilities. Consider seeking a recommendation from a teacher or counselor from a previous school or educational program.

Is it OK to reuse a letter of recommendation?

You may be able to reuse letters of recommendation. However, many grad schools ask the letter-writer to submit the letter directly, so you will have to ask your writers to re-submit their letters each time you apply to a new program.

Is it bad to ask the same person for a letter of recommendation?

If you're applying to multiple opportunities, it's totally okay to ask the same person for multiple letters because they can reuse their writing and submit it to any position you apply to.

Who should not write letters of recommendation for you?

Think of it this way — your parent, uncle, or cousin obviously want the best for you, and they want colleges to pick you. However, admissions officers would not take a letter from one of these people seriously because they're also clearly biased. Recommendations should come from more objective references.

When should you not write a recommendation letter?

There are several reasons to refuse a request to write a letter of recommendation. You may not know the applicant well enough, you may not have time to write it by the time the applicant needs it, you may not feel you could say good things about the applicant, etc.

How do you write a lukewarm letter of recommendation?