Recommendation Letters G11 2.2

YCIS Spring Fair: March 16 10:00-1:00

Tulane Campus Visit:
March 25 in P1

Recommendation
Letters

Grade 11 - CC Session 2.2
March 11, 2024

Today's Goals

Why are rec letters important?

What do you need to provide?

How to request a rec letter?

Your Letter Can Be Better

Open Ended

What kind of things do universities want to read in a recommendation letter?

Multiple Choice

At most selective (competitive) universities, how important are rec letters in your application?

• They're neither requested nor read

• They're read, but not important

• They're important, but not the most important part

• They're the most important part

MIT Admissions Office

"Because of our highly competitive applicant pool, letters of recommendation hold substantial weight in our decisions.

A well-written letter... can show impressive characteristics beyond their own self-advocacy."

American University
Associate Director of Admissions

"[Letters of recommendation are] extremely important.

GPA is most important, but letters of recommendation are a close second."

Common Data Sets Agree

​#2

​#35

​#60

How Many Rec Letters?

Region	Counselor	SuTeachers
US	1	1-2
UK	1	1
HK/ Japan/ Korea	1	1-2
Canada	0	0
Aus/ Sg/ UC	0	0

​Who to Ask?

​"We find that the best recommendations are written by teachers who know an applicant well as both a student and a person."

MIT Admissions Office

​Who to Ask?

​Declared Major:
G11-12 related subject teachers, or core academic subjects

Undecided Major:
G11-12 core academic subjects (English, Math, Science, World Language, Social Studies)

Multiple Select

What do you need to provide to your intended recommenders? (Check all that apply!)

• A Polite Request to Write

• A Cash Bribe

• Your Resume

• Your Self-Evaluation Form

• At Least 3 Weeks to Write

​Why Provide Them More Info?

​"[Rec letters] are most helpful when they are specific and storied. They should provide us with information... we cannot glean from the rest of the application.

Support... with facts and anecdotes whenever possible."

MIT Admissions Office

Teacher Self-Evaluation Form

1. Why are you choosing this teacher?

2. What qualities, values, and/or aspects of yourself do you hope this teacher could emphasize?

3. How have you demonstrated these qualities in this teacher's class(es)/ECA(s)? What memories and examples could you reflect on?

4. What is your proudest accomplishment related to this teacher?

Procedure to Request Letters

1. Talk with CC about intended major & unis

2. Finish Teacher Self-Evaluation Forms

3. Ask intended teachers and email

   (CC us & provide your form + resume)

4. Officially request letters on Scoir

• Tell CC your intended teachers

• Email your teachers + CC

• Teacher Self-Evaluation Forms +

• Updated Resume

​Email CC - March 21

Deadlines

• Subject Line: Procedure to Request University Recommendation Letters

• Step-by-step requirements

​Check "Procedure" Email

• Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act gives you the right to read your rec letters; waive it!

• On Scoir, complete the FERPA waiver form

​Waive FERPA Rights

Final Advice