Next up in our series on the “big five” elements in college applications is a discussion of recommendations. This series of five episodes is focused on the primary elements of a college application and geared towards students who are applying to college in the fall.

While not every college will use all five elements, it’s important to understand your options for recommendations if you are asked to include them in your applications.

We begin with an overview of discussions in college admissions around how recommendations can contribute to a student’s application, the issues related to accessing recommendations in some high schools, and the evolution in the ways recommendations are generated for colleges.  

We ask students to consider how recommendations can help them to develop a 360-degree view of who they are in their applications. Learn about the goals of these letters and how those goals shift subtly depending on whether it is a counselor, teacher, or “other” recommender who is writing your letter. 

In our tips segment, we offer suggestions around how to choose the best recommenders for you - those voices that will help to share your story. We have our own preferences too for the best way to approach a recommender with your request, and how to follow up with information that can help your recommender write more nuanced letters. Finally, it’s always important to thank your recommenders, in the moment, but also after you have received your admissions answers and picked your final destination. Your teachers, counselors, and other supporters are all routing for you and appreciate hearing your good news!

Time Stamps:

0:37 What Are We Learning This Week? Direct Admit admission programs: what they are, where to find them, and why or why not they may be a good option for you.

5:14 Big Picture: The role of recommendations in your application and the different goals for the insights from a teacher, counselor or outside recommender.

22:22 “Stump the IEC (Independent Educational Consultant)” Mascot madness: universities with tree-associated mascots.

25:00 Tips and Strategies to help you make the best choices for recommendations and how to follow up and confirm.

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Thanks for listening!