Omniac Attack!

Hey Seniors!

We know that school just started, but you have so much to do for your college application that it's never too early to get started on it all.  And we're here to give you some tips on something that quite often gets left until it's much too late...your letters of recommendation.

Here are five tips that will most assuredly help you get the most out of your recommendations, and wow college admissions officers, when other students' recommendations all look the same.

It's sad, but every school has teachers that are better than others.  And it's these that are usually the ones who get asked for recommendations most often.  It's equally unsurprising that the first recommendation from a teacher is going to be just a little better than the twentieth.  You need to do everything you can to get that first recommendation; which means you need to ask early.  Maybe even now.

 
Specifically, pick the teacher you like the most.  Not the one who gave you the best grade.  Not the one you think would look best on your application.  The one you like the most. The reason for this is extremely simple:  if that teacher is your favorite, there's a good chance that you'll be one of their favorite students as well.  Any teacher that likes you will be more passionate about your success and will give you a little more than a generic form letter.

This is a little similar to our last tip, but that's ok.  While you may be tempted to just pick whichever teacher you have this year that you like, it may be a better idea to pick one that you've had in a previous year.  Most students have a teacher as an underclassmen that they really clicked with.  Maybe you've had that teacher again, maybe you haven't.  But in any case, teachers like these have a strange habit about checking up on the students they like, even after those students are done with their class.  If you have a teacher like that, ask that teacher.  A teacher who cares enough about you to keep up with you after you're done with their class will definitely care enough about you to give you a fantastic recommendation.

 
This one may not be possible, and if that's the case, don't sweat it.  But if you know that you want to study a specific field, and the person who teachers that subject is already a good recommender, then that's just some icing on your cake.  If you love the same thing that your teacher loves, then he'll love you just a little bit more because of your shared passion.  And we've already gone over why that's a good thing!  In addition, if you're applying for a subject specific school or scholarship, then having a teacher from that subject will add more weight with the admissions officer. 

 
Teaching is a tough job.  We all can agree on that.  And even if it has become a de facto part of their job description, teachers don't get paid any more for giving out recommendations.  In fact, they don't have to give any out at all.  When they do decide to write one, it's only because they care about you and want you to succeed.  A little appreciation goes a long, long way.  Also, if you take the time to thank them before they've finished it, it's a sneaky way to check up on it without it looking like you're pestering them.  Obviously though, thanking them before they've given the letter to you does NOT mean you should skip thanking them afterwards.  At the very least, they should be getting a nice "Thank You" card as a small token of your appreciation.

 

Keeping these five tips in mind will have a hugely positive impact on the quality of recommendation you get.  And that will have a positive impact on your applications.  Remember though, it's never too early to start asking, so lock your recommendations up before all the good ones are given out already!