Scholarship Rec Question

<p>S has been invited to apply to an Honors Program at one of our State U's...the program asks for two recs, one of which is academic, from people "whom you know well". His guidance counselor is writing one and a family friend, who also is an educator, is writing another. </p>

<p>My question is, would it be appropriate for me to write one as well? There are aspects of my S personality and character that I'd like to comment on but I'm wondering if this is "overdoing". </p>

<p>The only reason I'm even considering it is that I saw a rec written by a parent in one of the college books I read (I think it was Panicked Parents Guide).</p>

<p>I'd like to know your thoughts - you all are so much more knowledgeable about this process than I.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>PS I lurk about here often, but ask more questions than I answer; you parents are great!</p>

<p>D's guidance counselor asked parents to complete a "brag sheet" in which we had the opportunity to list her strengths, achievements, etc., that were not necessarily apparent to anyone else but us. The GC could then incorporate those items into her recommendation. You could provide something similar to the GC as well as to your family friend so they would have a broader picture of your S. Good luck!</p>

<p>There was one school that my S applied to that had an optional section for parents' comments. But unless a parent rec is specifically asked for I think it is inappropriate. I would be interested to hear others' views on this. I did ask an admissions officer once about parents recs. She told me that she does receive them (in a 'believe it or not' voice). </p>

<p>The "brag sheet" is a mechanism for parents to have input through the GC without actually writing a rec themselves. Similarly, the student should be able to submit a resume, or list of personal accomplishments to the GC or rec writer without writing their own rec.</p>

<p>I would be very hesitant to write a letter of recommendation for my own child for several reasons. First, an admissions officer's perception that this letter would be a balanced view of his/her strengths and weaknesses would go right out the window when they see it is written by a parent. Second, if admissions asks for a certain number of recommendations, one should keep to that limit. In speaking with these offices it is clear that in this area more is not better. Third, parental input is most appropriate through the use of "brag sheets" and the like given to guidance counselors or other reference writers.</p>