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  4. Recommendation Letters

Recommendation Letters

This page was last updated on 8/28/2024

Counselor Letter of Recommendation Procedures--Class of 2025

         Please note: 

*If a student is ONLY applying to California State Universities or University of California schools the student DOES NOT NEED any counselor Letters of Recommendation.

CSU and UC applicants will only need to order transcripts IF the university requests a transcript after the application is submitted. Students self report grades on the initial application to UC and CSU campuses.    

All students applying to schools via the Common App,  the Coalition App, other private school independent apps, or scholarship programs that require a Counselor Recommendation must: 

  1. Complete the Letter of Recommendat Request Packet (LINKED HERE)
  2. Invite your counselor as a recommender within the Common App or online application portal. Directions on how to invite your counselor and waive your FERPA rights are located at the 3:15 timestamp of this Common App video overview
  3. Complete and Submit a CV Transcript order form and payment to the registrar. (Last page of the packet) and submit the rest of your packet to your counselor. 
  • Both forms are due at least 3 weeks prior to your first deadline for all Early Decision or Early Action applications but no later than Friday, November 15, 2024 for all December or later applications.
  • Counselors will not write letters or upload Secondary School Reports and transcripts until all supporting documentation is received. 
  • You do not need to know all colleges or have your application completed  at the time you are submitting the Letter of Rec packet or transcript order form. If you know you are applying to at least one school via Common App, submit your packet ASAP. 
  • If desired, you can submit a PARENT BRAG SHEET to support your counselor in writing a letter on your behalf.

Teacher Letter of Recommendation suggestions:

  • Check your specific college requirements for what kind of recommendation is needed. 
  • Ask your teacher (s) if he/she is willing to write a letter to support your application PRIOR to submitting the teacher contact information to Common App. 
  • IF the teacher would like you to complete a Brag Sheet, please complete the TEACHER BRAG SHEET (different from the Brag Sheet for your Counselor) and submit it to your teacher. 

Recommendation Letters---purposes:

  • Colleges read recommendation letters to see applicants from different perspectives — to get to know them better and identify what makes them unique. 
  • Counselors can show an applicant within the context of their school community. They can address a student’s academic achievements, personal interests and goals.
  • Teachers write from the vantage point of the classroom. They can provide a view of an applicant’s intellectual curiosity, creative thought, and work habits.
  • Other recommenders help illustrate an applicant’s interests and pursuits outside of school. They can show how an applicant works in teams, how they contribute to their community, what creative hobbies they’re pursuing, and more.