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. You should also feel free to meet with me in person if you wish. You may bring the questionnaire to me in person or e-mail it to my school address (see the link in the top right corner of this page). Here is an MS Word version, and here is an Adobe PDF version.
During the summer, I will write a draft of a recommendation letter. I will finalize the letter after speaking with you in the fall.
In September, read these additional instructions.
Meet with me personally to discuss your college plans.
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 the fall?
A. Unfortunately I cannot accommodate requests from students who don’t ask me until the fall. Writing recommendations is very time-consuming, and I need the opportunity to work on them over the summer.

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. Even an average grade in Level 1 Advanced Math at LHS makes you an above average math student among all high school seniors, and I make sure to say as much in my letters.

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?

If you have any questions or uncertainties, talk to me in person at school, or feel free to e-mail me anytime, including during the summer (see the link at the top right corner of this page).