For many seniors, the first semester of the year is defined by college applications. In addition to writing essays, submitting transcripts, and answering questionnaires, students applying to private colleges and universities must obtain letters of recommendation from their teachers and administrators.
While the University of California and California State University systems do not ask for letters of recommendation, private colleges and universities usually require two letters, each from core subject teachers. Other colleges or universities may require only one letter of recommendation.
Senior Kelly Walsh says, “Most colleges want junior and senior year core class teachers in addition to a guidance counselor recommendation.”
Senior David Koshy says, “Teachers can give colleges an idea of who a student is beyond the grades. They could write whether they were hardworking, funny, or shy. It gives colleges a pretty accurate look at the student’s personality rather than just looking at numbers on a piece of paper.”
Due to the overwhelming amount of students needing letters of recommendation, teachers often have to spend their spare time writing these letters. Science teacher Katherine Ward says, “Good letters take me at least two hours per letter, and the time has to come out of the non-school day. This year, I will need to find about sixty extra hours to get all of the letters done, meaning I will spend evenings and weekends writing letters.”
Says counselor Steve Allekotte, “I write 25 to 30 letters per year. Before I write each one, I read through a student’s application packet, which includes the resume, parent brag sheet, college essays, and transcript. Then, I interview the students and ask them about their most meaningful high school experiences, how they’ve changed since freshman year, what major they have in mind, and how their friends and family would describe them. I want to get a sense of where they’ve been, who they are, and where they’re going.”
Due to the time commitment, many teachers are now limiting the number of letters they are willing to write. Many students could be turned away by their favorite teachers. Senior Marvin Yang says, “When you don’t get your favorite teacher to write it, just go to your next favorite teacher. Ask a teacher in whose class you excelled.”
This hard work does not go unappreciated. Koshy says, “I’m sure all students are very appreciative of teachers. We know that the letters take lots of time and work, and their work is for the benefit of us, so we appreciate them a lot for doing this.”
