Letter of Recommendation Help!

Applying to College
1

Today i asked one of my teachers for a letter of recommendation. She’s an English teacher and im planning on going into science but she is the advisor of the club im apart of (in which im an officer), so i figured itd be good to get her to write me a letter about my leadership.

However, theres a slight issue i think. Ive been apart of the club all year but i was just appointed officer of the club two weeks ago, and as school ends in 10 days, there hasnt been any real leadership responsibilities that ive been able to show. However in the past few weeks ive been going to her almost daily with new ideas about what we should do for the club next year and I lead the discussions in our club meetings, so i suppose ive been able to demonstrate leadership and initiative that way. I asked her today (may 27) if she could write me one over the summer, but she said she could get it to me by the end of the school year. Is this bad? I want to get an amazing letter b/c im applying to prestigious schools and a mediocre letter would do no good, but im not sure if ive shown enough leadership for her to talk about in the letter. I was planning on her giving me the letter in the fall once ive demonstrated more leadership, so her telling me she could give it to me now kinda threw me for a loop.

Also, she asked for my resume. What do i put on that? Just my accomplishments, or do i put everything ive ever done in high school? (Clubs, sports, awards, volunteering, classes, gpa??)

I want her to mainly write about my leadership and my accomplishments outside of school, because it wouldnt really make sense for her to write about what sports I do and stuff. How do i tell her this without coming off as snobby or rude? Should i arrange a meeting with her to talk about all of this so she can write the best letter possible?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

2

You don’t need to be an official leader or in a leadership position to show someone you have leadership potential or that you are a leader. If she has known you all year, then she probably knows you well enough to judge you on the dimensions that contribute to being a good leader.

When you hear colleges look for leaders-it does not mean that the student has necessarily been put into official leadership position. Rather, it refers to ideas like–The student is viewed by others as having good ideas, getting along well with peers and being perceived by peers as having good judgement, being trustworthy and reliable, showing respect for others and the ideas of others, being able to credit and inspire others, etc.

3

First of all the teacher’s letter will primarily focus on academics. First and foremost colleges want to know about your skills/attitudes in the classroom from the teacher recommendation. Anything additional mentioned is a bonus. And you have likely shown the initiative/leadership traits in the club already in order to get elected to the position.

And if you google something like college application resume you will find examples of appropriate content and format. I’d imagine your guidance counselor can also provide some examples. Basically include academic information, ECs, internships/work experience, awards, any anything else relevant.

4

A formal resume isn’t needed. She may not be aware of what else you’ve been involved with, what you accomplished, and that can be done via a neatly organized summary. And then you can discuss that. But if you’re aiming high, please read up on what those colleges like and look for.