When would you need a letter of recommendation?
When applying to colleges or for scholarships the application will state a letter of recommendation is requested. The two common types of letters requested is a teacher written letter or a counselor written letter. Students are also able to see by going into Naviance if a college requires a letter or if it is optional to submit one.
How many letters and who writes them?
Two evaluations by academic teachers and an evaluation by your counselor will cover all of the necessary requirements. Occasionally you may want to also include a special recommendation from a coach, activity sponsor, or non-academic teacher who can provide an exceptional view of a particular area of interest or strength.
If you are applying to public institutions in Colorado, and exceed the admissions index, recommendations are generally not necessary. Talk with your counselor if you are uncertain.
Some colleges will specify if they would like a recommendation from a teacher in a specific subject area (ex: highly selective engineering schools).
Transcript Gaps
If you feel your transcript has a gap (e.g. you had a tough time during high school due to illness, family issues, job etc. and therefore had an extended absence from school), please visit with your college career counselor. We can address these issues through statements in the recommendations and give guidance in how to address your experience in your essay. We're here for you!
Be Mindful
Be Considerate: When you need a letter of recommendation please make sure to ask the faculty member you choose in person, before requesting through Naviance or listing their email address in your college application. While the letter still might be provided digitally it is important to have the conversation in person before submitting any information.
Faculty members spend time thoughtfully writing the letters of recommendation they have been asked to write. If you want them to put time into writing a letter to the potential college of your choosing or scholarship that helps you shine, then please take the time to speak to them in person before contacting them digitally.
Things to consider prior to requesting a letter:
Teachers & Counselors often ask for more information about you to help with writing your recommendation letter. The more they know about you, the better letter they will be able to write!
Prior to asking a teacher/ counselor for a letter please complete the Recommendation Profile in Naviance. Once you have completed the questionnaire please print it and take it to the teacher or counselor you will be asking for a letter from. In the questionnaire it will ask
"What college(s) and/or scholarship(s) are you applying to that require this recommendation?" Please be as specific as possible so the letter can be written tailored to those Colleges and Scholarships.
There are multiple questions asked in the Recommendation Profile. It is recommended that you read through all the questions first and answer with the most detail in the questions that want to be highlighted in your letter.
See these instructions on where to find and complete the Recommendation Profile in Naviance.
First Steps
Be professional in your request and request your letter of recommendation in person: Ask your teacher/counselor, in person, at least 2-3 weeks prior to needing the letter. Make sure to tell your teacher/counselor specifically what colleges/scholarships you are apply to and how they should submit the letter once they've written it. Every college is different- some will require a letter and others will require a special form. Make sure to have that information when requesting any form of recommendation.
Include your Recommendation Profile: Complete the Recommendation Profile in Naviance and print a copy to give to the faculty member you are requesting a letter from when you meet with them.
Make a second request via Naviance: After you have requested the recommendation in person, you will need to request the letter/recommendation via Naviance.
How to submit your second request in Naviance: At the bottom of your “Colleges I’m Applying To” page, there is a a button which allows you to request letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors. Please write a little note in the box Naviance provides when making your request. This note will be a part of the email that is directly sent to your teacher/counselor from Naviance.
When to Follow Up: Follow up with the teacher/counselor at least one week prior to needing the letter of recommendation.
Letters requested to be uploaded via Naviance will be submitted and sent by the teacher or counselor. Letters are not able to be accessed by the student. If a student needs a copy of their letter they will need to ask the author for a copy directly.