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August 2011Rebecca Zeigler Mano
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]8/4/2019 Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation
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There are more than 4000 accredited colleges and
universities in the US. There are more research dollars expended at US
universities than in any other country. Students can earn academic, sport and arts need-
based and merit-based scholarships to study in the
US. US liberal arts curriculum encourages academic
exploration and breadth as well as depth of study andstudents do not have to decide on a field of study foruntil after two years of study.
US College education is a 24/7 affair with activeresidential life programs and an expectation ofinvolvement in co-curricular life.
Diversity - The US is the only country in the worldwith no majority ethnicity.
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As a result, Zimbabwe has over 1500students currently studying in the US at awide range of institutions.
There are a number of unethical agents andagencies which charge students exorbitantamounts to suggest unis or help with theapplication process.
Students begin their application process firstterm of U6 and submit applications by Jan 1of the year they wish to enroll in August.
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Holistic Admissions: Academic and Non-
academic Transcript, Exam
Results Activities and
Involvement (Arts,Sport, Culture, CommService, Leadership,etc)
Letters ofRecommendation
Personal Essays
Admissions officersare trying todetermine the extentto which the student
will take positiveadvantage of theopportunitiesavailable in and outof the classroom on
their campus.
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3 letters required for Common Application: 2 L6 or U6 academic subject teachers 1 careers counselor: School Report Form
Not just English teachers!!!
Teachers who know student well Teachers who have something positive to
write about the student
Preferably teachers who have witnessed thestudent both in and out of the classroom
Sports/Arts Supplements and Extra Letters:Can involve letters of rec from coaches ordance/music/art teachers or club advisors
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Online Give student email
address; Receive prompt
Complete letter formonline or upload pre-written letter online;
Or school counseloruploads all letters
School part of applseither has to be allonline or all written
Written On school letterhead Typed and signed In sealed envelope
with signature acrossseal; If copied, signatures
should be originaland school stamp on
copies; One page is sufficient
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Your student does not need tohave straight As to be worthyof a strong letter of rec. Thereare universities out there thatare good matches for all of
our students.
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How long and how well you know the student Students strengths in the classroom
Intellectual/academic ability
Determination and extent of effort
Work habits
Intellectual curiosity
Team player? Effectiveness in groups
Communication skills written, speaking
Students assets outside of the classroomwhen known (clubs, leadership, as boarder..)
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Authoritative but doesnt have to be tooformal
Personal, confidential
Impeccable English spell check and edit Specific to that student generic letters dont
help anyone. Mention student by name
Use Active Voice
Use effective adjectives (not nice, sweet,good)
Dont prescribe future career/field of study
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USE specific, concrete examples (ie a researchpaper she wrote; a great presentation she made;an assertion she made in class against the tide,specific leadership example, etc)
Quantify successes and qualify statements (ieconsistently the top History student in her classof 25 or got the top mock Physics exam resultthis year vs an amazing student)
After you write your letter, put yourself inadmission shoes Would this letter helppersuade you to admit the student?
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Your goal is to advocate for your student and herpotential honestly so that your letter is an asset
to her application.
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