Letters of Rec Unpacked: Common App, Colleges & Everything in Between
Letters of recommendation can feel like one of the most confusing parts of the college application process. Who should you ask? When should you ask? What should you give your recommender? And once the letter is written, how do you actually get it to each college? In this episode, we’re breaking down everything students need to know about letters of recommendation, from choosing the right recommenders to making sure their letters successfully reach colleges. We’ll cover: Who to ask and what makes a strong recommender When and how to ask for a letter What information and materials you should provide your recommender Teacher vs. counselor vs. outside recommenders How many letters different colleges and programs require Where to find each college’s recommendation requirements How to add and manage recommenders in the Common App How the process differs for Coalition, UC, ApplyTexas, school-specific applications, and application portals Whether you can choose which letters are sent to each college What recommenders see and how they know when their letter is needed What happens when your school uses a third-party letter service Whether BS/MD programs have different recommendation requirements How to make the process as easy and convenient as possible for your recommender How to confirm that your letters have been received What to do when a college allows or requests letters outside the application platform And, of course, how many letters is too many? We’ll also answer the questions we’re hearing most often from students—and share practical tips to help you avoid common mistakes. Bottom line: Your letters of recommendation should be one less thing to stress about during senior year. We’ll show you how to approach the process thoughtfully, strategically, and respectfully—from “Will you write me a letter?” all the way to “Your letter has been received.”
