Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

How much weight does a recommendation letter hold in the admission process? This is a general question.

By Forsakn4 (Forsakn4) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:29 am: Edit

anyone know?

By Jenni87 (Jenni87) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 12:55 am: Edit

i can't tell you any figures, but it's VERY important... that's all i can say. hope it helps? lol.

By Ecca (Ecca) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 03:49 am: Edit

A general letter that says "X was a good student and never was late with assignments" will not do.

Letters are only effective if they stress you are the cream of the crop--schools look for excellence! Try to get them from teachers that know you personally and know how to play the game i.e. "X was wise beyond X's years and excells at everything X does." Don't get a lot of letters, just a couple quality ones, hopefully from teachers with PhDs or from internships not from your school counselors, ect. It also doesn't mean much if you are interested in being an English major and get a letter from a math teacher.

-this is what the UCB counselor told me when I asked about letters of rec. for my appeal.

I hope this helps.

By Stampede (Stampede) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 07:41 am: Edit

Even letters that state you are amongst the best is not particularly as helpful as those that states you are great at something from such and such endeavors that the recommenders are aware of. They MUST elaborate on 'why', not just that you are amongst the best (or better).

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 10:27 am: Edit

For most public institutions, as is the case with ECs there, recommendations don't count that much. Most public institutions accept students based mainly on grades and scores.

When it comes to the most competitive schools in the country -- places like Ivies, Washington U, U Chicago, Duke, recommendations count for a lot. Most of their applicants are highly qualified, but spaces are limited so what tips people in are ECs and recommendation letters.

Recommendation letters also are extremely important for things such as merit aid.

By Televelis (Televelis) on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 11:28 pm: Edit

Teachers should provide warrants as to why you're a good student. For example, one teacher of mine wrote, "Matt is an excellent student and frequently challenges others to rise to his level [etc]" This doesn't tell the college much. The other teacher said that I was self-motivated, then cited the fact that I had petitioned the school for independent study time so that I could study a history course in depth. I think the latter was a far more impressive letter because my teacher actually told the school why what he was saying was true.