You might have seen from our application requirements page that a letter of recommendation is not required for admission or scholarship consideration; however, it can help give the admission committee more insight into who you are as a student both in and out of the classroom from the perspective of a teacher, counselor or community leader.

What should go into a letter of recommendation?
Answer:   There is not a set template.  Each letter is going to be different because every student who is applying for admission is going to be different.  The letter shouldn’t just be a listing of your extracurricular activities or community service—we can see all of that information in your application or ‘Extracurricular Resume’.  A good letter of recommendation will describe to the admission committee why you are a strong candidate for admission.  It should be a description of your personal character, leadership experiences and the recommender’s insight into your accomplishments.

We also have a few tips for you when asking for a letter of recommendation:
Tip 1: Choose teachers, counselors and coaches who know what you can do.
Tip 2: Give those individuals who are writing letters of recommendation the courtesy of time.
Tip 3: Talk with your recommenders about why college is important to you and the reasons you chose particular schools.
Tip 4: Share a brief resume of your activities and accomplishments with those who are writing letters for you.
Tip 5: Provide a list of application deadlines and appropriate forms.