College Writing

9/28/15

 Pitzer college will be here tomorrow at 9am

Smith college will be here tomorrow at 10:15am (female
college)
Counselors will not be on campus on Thursday and Friday of
this week
Next week are SLCs
Grades are up to date on Powerschool
Last week to finalize college list
CSUs begin October 1st

A letter that is written to your college by someone who can explain

your skills, accomplishments, and personality.

A letter that is written to your college by someone who can explain

your skills, accomplishments, and personality.
Colleges value recommendation because they:
Reveal things about you that grades and text scores cant
Provide personal opinions of your character
Show who is willing to speak on your behalf

Typically you want to ask for a letter a recommendation at least a

month before your deadline.

Typically you want to ask for a letter a recommendation at least a

month before your deadline.
Why:
This allows people time to write your letter especially teachers and
counselors because they probably have to write a LOT!
Give you time to send them
Not rushed

You typically want to ask someone who has known you for a while and someone
who can speak specifically on your behalf.

You typically want to ask someone who has known you for a while and someone
who can speak specifically on your behalf.
SUCH AS:
Teachers- someone who has known you for a while but can contribute a current
perspective on you (Junior teachers)

You typically want to ask someone who has knows you for a while and someone
who can speak specifically on your behalf.
SUCH AS:
Teachers- someone who has known you for a while but can contribute a current
perspective on you (Junior teachers)
Counselors/Resource- KGB and Erin (Nicole, resource teachers, therapy teachers
of any kind)

You typically want to ask someone who has knows you for a while and someone
who can speak specifically on your behalf.
SUCH AS:
Teachers- someone who has known you for a while but can contribute a current
perspective on you (Junior teachers)
Counselors/Resource- KGB and Erin (Nicole, resource teachers, therapy teachers
of any kind)
Other Adults- Coaches, Advisor, Employer, Head of organizations (ie. Religious
institutions, internships, and etc..)

Some teachers write many recommendation letters each year. Even if

they know you well, you should always take some time to speak with
them and give them detailed information about your achievements and
your potential. This will refresh their memory.

1. Talk to them first and ask them politely if they could write you a
recommendation

1. Talk to them first and ask them politely if they could write you a
recommendation
2. Remind them of specific work or projects you are proud of by writing
them a detailed email or letter showing this

1. Talk to them first and ask them politely if they could write you a
recommendation
2. Remind them of specific work or projects you are proud of by writing
them a detailed email or letter showing this
3. Give them information they need to provide specific examples about
you

1. Talk to them first and ask them politely if they could write you a
recommendation
2. Remind them of specific work or projects you are proud of by writing
them a detailed email or letter showing this
3. Give them information they need to provide specific examples about
you
4. Some teachers will ask you to apply to them prior to asking: fill out
the application and send it to them in advance (Stoll, Barclay, Hou,
etc)

1. Talk to them first and ask them politely if they could write you a
recommendation
2. Remind them of specific work or projects you are proud of by writing
them a detailed email or letter showing this
3. Give them information they need to provide specific examples about
you
4. Some teachers will ask you to apply to them prior to asking: fill out
the application and send it to them in advance (Stoll, Barclay, Hou,
etc)
** Regardless of who you ask, always provide that person with specific
details about yourself so they can write you a detailed recommendation

Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application

forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you have not seen
them.

Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application

forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you have not seen
them.
Make sure your references know the deadlines for each college!!

Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application

forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you have not seen
them.
Make sure your references know the deadlines for each college!!
Follow up with your reference a week or so before recommendations
are due to make sure your letters have been sent or uploaded on
Naviance.

Waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application

forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you have not seen
them.
Make sure your references know the deadlines for each college!!
Follow up with your reference a week or so before recommendations
are due to make sure your letters have been sent or uploaded on
Naviance.
Make sure you have 2-3 solid people you can ask for
recommendations, JUST IN CASE!

A form you fill out to give to your references so they have detailed
information about you. The Brag Sheet asks you detailed questions
about your personality, skills, and accomplishments.

You can find this form on Naviance under ABOUT ME:

The Brag Sheet is only for Da Vinci teachers who have access to
Naviance.

The Brag Sheet is only for Da Vinci teachers who have access to
Naviance.
If you plan to use this Brag Sheet for a reference outside of school, then
copy and paste your answers to a word doc so that you are able to print
it out or use that information in a letter or email.

You are meeting with counselors to finalize your list of colleges

You are completing your sample letter to parents (Due next Monday
10/5)
You are filling out the Brag Sheet on Naviance
You are working on other Personal statements, college essays, or
writing prompts.
You are researching scholarships, other colleges, internships, and
etc..
You are working on your Portfolio for college