College Recommendation Process

Information and instructions for the Class of 2010

Overview of the process

• First, read this document and decide whether you want me to write a recommendation for you. Talk to me if you're unsure.
• By June 30, complete a brief questionnaire about yourself and your college plans.
• During the summer, I write a draft of a recommendation letter. I can update this letter in the fall if it turns out that I’m teaching you again in senior year, or if there’s important additional information.
• In September, read these additional instructions.
• Finally, bring me the recommendation paperwork for each college (see instructions) including addressed stamped envelopes. Note that I only write confidential recommendations sent directly to the colleges (see below for my reasons). You must submit your paperwork on time; see the instructions for the deadlines, and do not miss those deadlines (the first one is October 2, for applications due in November).

Frequently asked questions

Q. Will you write me a recommendation?
A. I write recommendations for nearly all students who ask me by the end of junior year. However, I reserve the discretion to decline writing a recommendation for any particular student (in which case, I will let you know promptly after your initial request, while you still have plenty of time to ask another teacher).

Q. What if I don’t ask for a recommendation until senior year?
A. Unfortunately I cannot accommodate requests from students who don’t ask me until senior year.

Q. I got one of my lower grades in your class. Can you still write me a letter?
A. Most likely yes. There are usually positive things to write about your accomplishments and work habits. In fact, a letter from me could help explain the context of a lower grade: that academic expectations in the course were high. For example, I've written letters for students who received B-’s and C+’s in Honors Advanced Math, and their applications have worked out well.

Q. Is there any kind of student who should not ask for a recommendation?
A. You should not ask me for a recommendation if you have ever cheated or taken an unfair advantage in my class. I may know about your cheating even if I didn’t have enough evidence to "catch" you; don’t put me in the uncomfortable position of having to tell you that. Taking an unfair advantage includes actions that technically fall within the rules but gave you an unfair advantage over classmates, such as getting yourself excused from class to postpone a test you were supposed to take.

Q. I'm not sure whether I should ask you for a recommendation. What do you think?
A. Most students only need 2 teacher recommendations. If you are not sure which teachers to ask, talk to me individually, and I'll be happy to give you some advice on this question. Guidance counselors are another good source of advice on this issue.

Q. Why do you only send confidential letters directly to the colleges?
A. There are two reasons. First, letters sent through the LHS Registrar go into a file that can be examined by the student, and this creates a situation that can be abused: students have been known to request letters from a large number of teachers, screen them, and only send the most favorable ones. I want to protect my letter writing time so that I can spend it on students who are definitely going to use my letters. Second, some admissions offices may attach more credibility to positive comments in a letter that was written and sent confidentially.

Q. Now I’m nervous. Can’t I see what you’re writing about me? How do I know it will be positive?
A. I only agree to write a recommendation if I know I can write a positive letter that will be supportive of your applications. If this is not the case, I’ll advise you that you might be better off to seek a recommendation from someone else. But that happens quite rarely.

Any more questions?