How to Get the Best from Your Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation may be the most overlooked component of the college application. Most college-bound students spend the bulk of their time stressing about their GPAs, doing loads of test prep (which is not at all a waste of time), and meticulously crafting their personal statements. Among the “big four” of college application, the letters of recommendation are generally neglected, but they still constitute an important part of the admissions process. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your letters.

 Your Writers Should Know You

Most of us have a sense of our presence in any given class. Some classes provoke our participation, others induce slumber. Even if you received high marks in a particular class, make sure that you made a lasting impression on your teacher. College admissions officers look to letters of recommendation to get a sense of your classroom presence and special academic strengths, especially those that cannot be communicated through grades and test scores. Make sure your letter writers know you for the great college student you can be.

Your Writers Should Be In Your Field

For the few of you who know your major going in to college, make sure at least one of your letter writers teaches a subject related to your major. For example, if you apply as a Biology major, aim for at least one letter to come from a science teacher; by all means, though, do not neglect to request a letter from that English teacher who can write stellar letter on your behalf. The quality of your letters does indeed trump relevance, but just remember that admissions officers will want to know how you perform in the kinds of classes you’ll be taking as an undergraduate.

Grades Shouldn’t Necessarily Determine Your Writers

It might seem ill-advised to request a letter from a teacher who did not give you an “A,” but remember, good letter-writers are those who know your strengths best, not necessarily those who give you the best marks. Perhaps you initially struggled in an unusually challenging class and then showed great determination by raising your grade to a “B.” Such a momentous improvement should not go unnoticed simply because your final grade could be higher.