Writing Effective Recommendation Letters Ann Velenchik Director of First-Year Academic Programs...
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Transcript of Writing Effective Recommendation Letters Ann Velenchik Director of First-Year Academic Programs...
Writing Effective Recommendation Letters
Ann VelenchikDirector of First-Year Academic Programs
Wellesley CollegeJune 16, 2015
The Whole Application(in the order I read it)
• Testing
• Transcript
• School Report
• Counselor Letter
• Teacher Letters
• Common Application
Types of information
• “Objective” • Test scores• Courses/grades• School information• Lists of Activities
• “Narrative” • Counselor report• Teacher letters• Essays and written elements of the Common App
Objective and Narrative Information work together
• School reports help readers interpret transcripts by comparing course selection to course availability
• Counselor letters give context to the list of activities
• School reports compare student’s testing with her peers and help show the role of the high school experience in the student’s college readiness
• Teacher letters can provide broader and deeper understanding of academic performance than grades alone
An effective letter contributes to the whole
application when it…• Adds something new
• Draws on the writer’s specific expertise and experience with the student
• Discusses intellectual attributes along with personal qualities and work habits
• Is specific and detailed
• Avoids gender bias in language and content
Writing about activities
The Common App asks applicants to list their extracurricular activities. Letters from counselors and teachers should add:
• First-hand knowledge of student work from coach/mentor/sponsor roles
• Details about leadership experience and qualities
• Comparison of students’ level of school engagement with peers’ engagement
• School-wide assessments of the student’s role in the community
Writing about Academics
The transcript provides a complete list of courses and grades. Letters should:
• Define the degree of difficulty of the overall program
• Give specific examples of• Excellent papers, presentations, exams• Participation style• Classroom leadership
• Highlight areas of particular strength and explain gaps or weak spots in the record.
• Discuss academic talents and skills before focusing on work ethic and use of extra help.• “Bright, creative, articulate” before “Diligent, helpful, kind”
Writing about Personalityand Character
• Vivid description and language most helpful. Be concrete.
• Include perspectives from faculty and peers when possible
• Be aware of gender bias – female students are often described as “polite” or “helpful” while males almost never are.