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PACT Secondary Campus

Students of Character and Academic Excellence

Letters of Recommendation

PLANNING AHEAD

Letters of Recommendation

 

Requesting a strong letter starts with giving your teacher or counselor time — and the right information.

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Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Some college applications ask for a letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor. These letters give admissions offices a fuller picture of who you are — not just your grades, but how you think, grow, and show up in the classroom and community.

Before you request a letter:

  • Confirm the college actually requires one — not every application does.
  • Talk to your teacher or counselor in person before making a formal request.
  • Give at least three weeks' notice. Some teachers may need more time depending on how many requests they're juggling — ask about their preferred timeline.
  • Set a due date that's 10 school days before your earliest application deadline. 


How to request a letter:

Email your School Counselor or teacher directly. Include the information listed below under Teacher or Counselor Recommendation, so they have everything they need to get started.

  • A teacher's letter speaks to your academic performance, curiosity, and potential for success in college — based on firsthand experience with you in their classroom.

    To help your teacher write a strong, specific letter, consider including some of the following in your email to your teacher:

    • Class details — which class(es) you took with them, when, and the grade you earned
    • Why you chose them — what made you want this teacher specifically
    • A meaningful lesson — the concept or lesson you enjoyed most, and your biggest takeaway from the class
    • A proud accomplishment — a paper, project, or experiment you're proud of (attach a copy if you have one, to help jog their memory)
    • What you brought to the class — skills or qualities that stood out, with specific examples
    • A time you struggled — and how you worked through it
    • A moment of curiosity — a specific memory or interaction from the class you look back on fondly
    • Self-ratings with examples — colleges often ask teachers to rate students on traits like motivation, leadership, integrity, resilience, concern for others, self-confidence, and initiative; be ready to reflect on how you'd rate yourself in each and why
    • Your college list and earliest deadline, and whether you're using the Common Application
    • Send a reminder email as your deadline approaches.

  • A counselor's letter often carries real weight, since it speaks to your growth throughout your time at PACT — not just in one class. 

    Consider some of the following information to include in your email to your counselor:

    • How you'd introduce yourself if you were writing the opening of your own letter
    • The top three things you'd want an admissions committee to know about you
    • What makes you unique — a skill, talent, responsibility, or passion others might not know about
    • The activity or experience that's meant the most to you, and why
    • The academic settings or assignments you enjoy most, and why
    • How your family background has shaped your values or worldview
    • Any barriers that have affected your success, or anything on your transcript that could use context
    • What you're considering studying, and what's pointed you in that direction
    • How you've spent your summers
    • Your extracurricular activities or resume
    • Your college list and earliest application deadline