Problems with recommendation letters - International

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

Hi everyone, I need a bit of help with a particular common app prob.

I’m an international who’s gonna apply to the US, and the two teachers I’m ought to get my recommendation letters from don’t speak English, so basically two problems actually:

  1. How do I get them to complete the common app thingie online or whatever they have to, and
  2. Do I translate their stuff for them, or do I need to inquire an official translator to do it? Then, do I need to send both the translated and untranslated versions? How do I go about this?

I have to admit, the common app doesn’t make it very easy for internationals to do what they need to. Hopefully someone can help me out with these recommendation letter issues.

2

I’m an international student too and this is what I did

  1. I translated all the qualities for rating and just asked them to rate me
  2. I asked them to write for me and translated their letters into English (no need for an official translator). I sent both the translated and untranslated versions. Just merge 2 versions into 1 pdf file and send it
3

“I have to admit, the common app doesn’t make it very easy for internationals to do what they need to.”

LOL… you’re right. The common app makes it easier for AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES to do what they need to. Reminder: American schools are not run and funded by the UN! Get with the program. You want to live and study here – you need to adapt to American ways, not vice versa.

4

Well, I hope what you did works out for you, but that is not what most colleges want an international applicant to do.

Getting back to the OP. The recs on the common app do not need to be filled out online. They can be printed out and filled out the old fashioned way with a pen.

The recs will need to be translated, but not by you. Each college will have guidance on who should do the translating. Some may require an official translation service, but most will allow a school professional or English teacher to do the translating. Most schools will want the original and the translated versions. Email the schools in question and ask what they recommend.