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Choose your
recommenders carefully. If a recommendation from the school is requested,
choose a teacher who knows you well and is familiar with your strengths in
the classroom. If a recommendation from the community is requested, choose
someone outside of your family with whom you have spent a good deal of time.
Employers and community service supervisors are ideal for this.
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Choose
recommenders who write well and are willing to take the time to make the
letter as personal as possible and can include specific examples of your
attributes.
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Be
understanding if your request is declined.
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Provide your
recommenders with an Activity Resume and copy of your Transcript to show your
involvement and achievements outside their area.
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Offer to make
an appointment with them to discuss the format and contents of your
recommendation.
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Make your request
specific. Tell them who their audience is and a little background. Tell them
your objectives, goals, and aspirations. Let them know what you want to major
in or why you want to attend a specific school.
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Be sure your
recommender knows your deadline and give them at least two weeks to write it.
If Guidance is to mail it, add another week for processing.
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Give your
recommenders instructions on what to do with the recommendation once complete.
Provide your recommenders with addressed, stamped envelopes if they are to
mail the recommendation separately.
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Let them know
whether their recommendation will be confidential or if you will have access
to it.
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Ask the
recommender to save the recommendation on their computer in order to provide
future recommendations to other addressees.
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Write a Thank
You note to each recommender. Follow up with your recommenders to let them
know what happened and what choice you have made.