Recommendation Writing WorkshopDr. Sonia Soni - July 2016

DR. SONIA SONI HEAD -Career Guidance Counsellor,

Psychology Faculty - International Curriculums.Aditya Birla World Academy

Vastu Shilp Annexe, Gamadia colony, JD Road, Tardeo, Mumbai 400 007

Doctorate in clinical psychology Practicing counselling for the past 11 years.

Certificate in College Counselling UCLA Teaching IB psychology for the past 8

years 4 years’ experience as an IB examiner,

doing extended essay in Psychology and World Studies. (IA moderation)

Script marking. (paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3)

Certificate Program in college admissions & career planning (University of California LA)

• How are letters of recommendations used by the admissions officers?

• Who really reads the recommendations?• What qualities make a letter of

recommendation effective?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS• What is the purpose of a letter of

recommendation?• Which colleges require letters of

recommendation?• Do I have to write a letter of recommendation

for a student?• How much credence do colleges place in

teacher recommendations?

UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS IS A PROCESS AND NOT A PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RIGHT SUBJECTS +RIGHT CURRICULUM=THE BEST FIT COLLEGE

YOUR STUDENT AND HIS COLLEGE CHOICE?

WHAT’S IMPORTANT A COLLEGE OR

A COURSE?WHO DECIDES?

Your performance at every level of education will play a large part in determining your

CAREER CHOICES.

we’ll help you do it

It’s easy when you have the right people around you

WRITING LETTERS OF

RECOMMENDATION

MANTRA:SHOW, DON’T TELL

Letters of Recommendation are Important

•Statement of support for a candidate.

•Providing sufficient evidence and information to help a selection committee in making its decision.

•Allows the reader to get a clear idea of what the person is “really” like

How schools look at1. Indian schools ; 1-d view of who you are2. In UK; 2-d view, 3. In USA; 3-d view

Dr. Sonia Soni HEAD - Career Guidance Counselor,  Psychology Faculty - International Curriculums

Indian schools like IIT would like to see only a one dimensional view of candidate, that is entrance exam score.

Universities in UK need Grades and SOP.

US Universities want to know every thing, all about the candidate, from 9th grade onwards.

A 3-dimensional viewThat is where programs like Honors, MOS and SEP come in.

Reflects Strength of the StudentIntellectual ability/curiosityOriginalityCritical thinkerTechnical skillsAbility to incorporate new

ideasLeadership abilityInitiativeWork ethic/ hard workingMaturity

Communication skills (verbal & written)

Academic performance Honors and awards Integrity/ reliability Willingness to follow lab

policy Ability to work with others Ability to work independently

General Tips for Your Letters

1. 1 OR 2 PAGES

2. Font 12 point

3. Bold or italicize important information

4. Add personal remarks/ stories

5. DON’T FORGET TO PROOF READ!!!!

6. Include your contact information

7. Keep copies for your records

What helps• Provide specific information about the applicant

• Mention how the writer knows the applicant

• Give examples of what the applicant has done.

• Why the applicant would be a strong candidate for the specific University.

• Place the student in a larger context.

• Mention specific strengths.

QUALIFY YOUR ADJECTIVES PROVIDE SPECIFICS MAKE THE LETTER EVALUATIVE RELAY CLASS INVOLVEMENT BE HONEST, MAINTAIN CREDIBILITY WRITE A PAGE AT LEAST

DO’S

What’s Not Helpful!•Short, uninspired or non-specific letters•Generic letters •Summary letters of scores, class rank, etc.•Faint or undocumented praise •Letters telling about yourself•Letters implying criticism.

WRITE THREE PAGES MENTION PHYSICAL APPEARANCE WRITING ABOUT YOUR CREDENTIALS MERELY PROVIDE A LIST OF ADJECTIVES REPORT APPLICANTS ACTIVITIES AND GRADES AGREE TO WRITE A LETTER WITH ONE DAY’S

NOTICE

DON’TS

WORDS MATTER…

gifted

trustworthydiligentgarrulous

determined

scholarly

inventive

zealous magnanimous

sophisticatedunassuming

• Don’t fake it with faint praise• Admissions officers can “read between the

lines” • Advocate for your student using whatever

examples you might have• Don’t write just to be “nice”

NOT A BUBBLER?

RECOMMENDATION WRITINGRESEARCH

• Interview the student • Highlight examples of personal/ academic

strengths• Discuss papers/projects of which student is most

proud• Discuss student’s passions• Give examples of risks taken

• Introduction• Academic Achievement/Performance• Character/Attitude• Future• Conclusion

STRUCTURING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Teacher vs. CounselorWhat’s the difference?• Teachers speak to

first- hand knowledge and observations

• Counselors present the “big picture”

“I really expect a teacher to address what type of student we are dealing with in an academic context while the counselor might address issues that deal with life outside of the classroom.”

Admissions Representative – Northwestern University

QUALITIES AND ADMISSIONS OFFICER LOOKS FOR

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTENGAGEMENT MOTIVATION IMPACTCREATIVITY

Student approach to the subject?Contributions of the student to the class?Student responded to challenges & opportunities?What would this student bring to the University? How would this student gain from the University?

QUESTIONS ASKED

• Student voice within the essay• Teacher letter of recommendation• Counselor letter of recommendation

Each voice takes on a different tone.

Three Voices Need to be Heard