If you’re a senior, you’re probably working on applications. Scholarship applications, vocational school applications, college applications, job applications. So, so many applications. Many of these applications require at least one letter of recommendation, occasionally more. You seniors hopefully already know Lincoln’s process for requesting a letter of recommendation, but if you forgot, here’s a short summary:

TEACHER LETTER
1. Talk to your chosen teacher in person to politely ask if they could write you a letter.
2. If they agree, send them a formal email request. The teacher should respond with another confirmation that they will write you a letter and a form for you to fill out.
3. Fill out the form in a timely manner and submit. Form is due THREE WEEKS before you need them to have the letter submitted – i.e., if your application is due Nov 15th, the request form is due Oct 25th.
4. After form submission, add the teacher on the application portal, whether that be for Common App, Coalition, or something unique to a specific school/job/etc.
5. Thank the teacher!

COUNSELOR LETTER
1. Add your counselor on the application portal. You need to do this (for colleges) whether you need a letter of rec from them or not.
2. Send them an email requesting a letter of rec IF AND ONLY IF the specific college you are applying to requires it! You can see that information here on the Common App:

3. Once your counselor sends you their form, fill it out in a timely manner. The counselor brag sheet is a little longer than most teacher forms, so be aware and ask for it early in the process. This is also due THREE WEEKS IN ADVANCE.
4. Thank your counselor!

THE FORMS
So, you’ve requested a letter of rec, got your request approved, and have been sent a perhaps unexpectedly long Microsoft Form to fill out. This may seem a daunting task, especially if you’re already trying to balance schoolwork, homework, actual work, other applications, clubs, sports, you name it. You’ve got to fill this form out in time, but your mind is totally blank! What have I accomplished? What have I learned about myself in high school? I don’t know!
Fear not, dear student. Have some tips:

1. Write your answers on a separate Word/Google document, then copy-paste into the form when you’re done.
Not only does this make 100% sure that none of your work is lost if you close a browser window (despite Microsoft Form’s save as you go feature), but it makes it so that you have all your answers saved after you’ve submitted the form! Since many letter of rec forms have similar or even identical questions, you can go back to previous form answers and save yourself a lot of time!

2. Use your supplemental essays or personal statement for inspiration/information.
If you’re applying to colleges and have been working on those applications for some time, you probably have at least a few essays written from a variety of prompts. Have those open while filling out your letter of rec form! Oftentimes there will be some overlap. At the very least, the other essays can serve as a source of inspiration. Be aware of how much you copy from supplementals, though – you don’t want colleges to hear the exact same thing from your teachers that they already heard from you. Corroboration of information is good, but you also want your teachers to tell colleges about other things you haven’t yet highlighted in your essays! Which brings me to the next point:

3. Write about what you haven’t yet written about.
This may seem contradictory to the previous point, but I believe the two tips can coexist. Some questions may have their perfect answers already written in your supplemental essays, some of them may be the perfect opportunity to shine a light on a whole new side of your amazing self! Having your supplemental essays or personal statement nearby is also helpful for this tip, as you can see exactly what you’ve already written about. For example, if you spend a lot of time on your activities in your essays, try giving your teacher/counselor information that highlights your academics!

4. Think about what you’re applying to.
If you’re requesting a letter or rec for a scholarship made for writers, focus on your strengths in the field of writing. If you’re applying to a college that really values strong academics, make sure to let your teacher know to emphasize that instead of your out-of-school activities. Always have the audience in mind.

5. Hype yourself up!
We know it’s difficult, and we know you may have been given advice like this before, but it’s true. Hyping yourself up in letter of rec forms is imperative. How is your teacher or counselor supposed to talk about how awesome if you suppress all your accomplishments and strengths? You are unique. You are amazing. You have things that no one else has. It may be hard to believe, but it’s true! Try to talk about yourself like you would talk about a beloved friend that just told you they don’t think highly of themself. Or go a step further and ask your friends to tell you nice things! I promise it’s not a weird thing to do. You could all go around and share kind, descriptive adjectives about each other (i.e., dependable, dedicated, empathetic, personable, creative, enthusiastic). You can even save these words and use them whenever an interviewer asks you “what are three words your friends would use to describe you?”!

6. Be honest!
What classes are actually your favorite? What activity is really the most important to you? Write about that! It’s only when you’re honest that your true passion, enthusiasm, and personality shine through, and that’s really what your teachers and counselors want to now – need to know, even, to write a truly compelling letter about you and your capabilities and strengths.

7. Ask for help.
The classic advice; tried and true. If you’re really struggling, ask for help! Talk to your parents, teachers, trusted adults, friends, classmates. See if they have any helpful prompts for you. Maybe they have specific advice that worked really well for them! Your peers and mentors are a valuable resource.

Good luck, Lynx, and happy form-filling!