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Teacher Recommendations
Working on the presumption that at least one of the colleges to which a student will apply will request two teacher recommendations, each student should consider which two teachers would be best suited to write on their behalf. The best recommendations come from teachers who both know you well as a student and like you as a person. It is advisable that both of those teachers are from the junior or senior years. Teachers in the Visual and Performing Arts Departments may also be asked to write supplemental letters of recommendation on your behalf.
Requesting a Recommendation
All initial requests for teacher recommendations should be made by the end of junior year. We will work with students through this process.
The teachers you ask will write on your behalf to each of the colleges to which you are applying. Your college list does not need to be finalized before you request a letter of recommendation from someone. Your teachers have the right to decline to write for you if they do not feel that they are able to do so effectively. If your request is denied, please accept the response gracefully; they are only acting in your best interest.
Deadlines
Teachers have the right to set their own deadlines for receipt of the Teacher Recommendation Request List. If they do not state a specific deadline, give them the request list by the following deadlines; the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire is due to teachers by October 1st .
College Deadline:
1.) 11/1 - 12/1
Recommendation Forms Deadline:
1.) 10/15
Even students awaiting early application responses should submit the remaining paperwork to their teacher recommenders by December 4th unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.
Students should waive their right to access the teacher recommendation whenever asked. While FERPA gives the student the right to access their recommendations at the college where they ultimately matriculate, we require that students waive this right. Admission officers will weigh more seriously a recommendation that is confidential. Further, many teachers will insist on this as a condition of their writing for a student.
How Recommendations are Submitted
Teachers at Friends submit recommendations electronically through Naviance unless a specific college requires otherwise. If all of a student’s colleges accept electronic submission, they only need to provide the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire (as soon as possible) &
Teacher Recommendation Request List (by deadline above).
Thanking Your Recommenders
Students are strongly encouraged to write thoughtful, handwritten thank you notes to those teachers who act as recommenders for them. It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to write a letter of recommendation, and many teachers spend their Winter Break on this activity. It
is appropriate for students to thank them for their efforts. The same holds true for anyone who writes a supplemental letter of recommendation for a student. A sample Thank You Note is provided here.
Students should begin to think now about their ultimate need for recommendations from teachers. Your teachers must know you well and have seen solid work and a continuous effort from you if they are to be in a position to write a strong letter.
