Hello and welcome to a short webinar hosted by the Commission for Educational Exchange
between the United States, Belgium and Luxembourg.
In addition to administering the Fulbright Programs for Belgium, Luxembourg and the European
Union, the Commission for Educational Exchange also offers educational advising for students
in Belgium who are thinking about studying in the United States.
EducationUSA makes applying to a U.S. college or university clear by identifying your five
steps to U.S. Study.
In today's video, we'll talk briefly about recommendation letters, a key component to
a complete university application.
Recommendation letters are more important in the college admissions process than many
students realize.
Just ask the Senior Assistant Director of Admission and Director of Engineering Recruitment
at Columbia University!
She told EducationUSA: "I have learned that amidst all the information one can garner
from reading a candidate's secondary school transcript, short responses, application essay,
and list of achievements and activities, what often pulls the entire picture together are
letters from counselors and teachers.
This is because, at the end of the day, the letters provide evidence that a student's
achievements make an impact upon the outside world."
A great recommendation letter is written by someone who knows you well.
Do not choose a recommender to whom you are just a grade on a paper.
Your recommender should be able to speak to your character, personal motivations, and
past challenges – not just your academic achievements!
When selecting your recommenders, look for a variety of teachers or employers who can
speak to different aspects of your personality and achievements.
Consider choosing teachers who have taught you in subjects that you found challenging
but in which you worked hard to excel.
Alternatively, it might also be a good idea to choose teachers who have taught you in
the areas of study you would like to pursue in college.
Above all, choose teachers who like and respect you.
Remember, you can also ask for a recommendation from another adult: for example, a coach,
an employer, or an adviser who knows you well and could write a strong and positive letter.
If you are unsure that your recommender will be able to speak to these characteristics,
consider providing them with some additional information, including:
the universities to which you are applying (and the reasons why)
your accomplishments so far and your plans and goals for the future
your most meaningful and long-term commitments, in or outside of school
personal issues (long commutes, after school jobs, family problems) that may have affected
you over your secondary school years
You may also wish to provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume or the personal
statement that you will be submitting to universities.
This will show your recommenders how you are packaging your own application.
Some universities may have specific requirements when it comes to letters of recommendation.
If you are applying to a specific program, you may be asked to provide letters of recommendation
from teachers in a particular field of study.
For example, a high school student applying to a competitive engineering program may need
to submit letters of recommendation specifically from math and science teachers.
Consult individual university websites for more information about requirements and to
review any suggestions that they might have for letters of recommendation.
For example, the website of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Vanderbilt University
provides this advice: "The most compelling letters of recommendation offer information
that either expands upon something we have learned from the student's application or
informs us of something entirely new.
The best recommendations are not checklists of what the student has accomplished; the
best recommendations expound upon these accomplishments."
Overall, they explain, "letters of recommendation should provide us with a more detailed sense
of the student in and out of the classroom."
Remember to give recommenders plenty of time to write your letters!
Make your request at least two months in advance, and then follow up with your recommender as
the deadline approaches.
Be clear about the requirements.
Make sure that the people writing your letters of recommendation know the application deadline
(and hopefully plan to submit their recommendation well in advance) and how the letter must be
submitted.
Be clear about your expectations.
Most secondary school teachers in the United States have written many letters of recommendation
and know what is expected; in contrast, this might be the first time that your teacher
has written a letter of recommendation for a U.S. university!
You should be prepared to explain to them what an American letter of recommendation
looks like, what information it includes, and what kind of tone it expresses.
After the recommendations have been submitted, follow up with a (handwritten) thank you note.
Want to learn more about writing the perfect letter of recommendation?
Do your research by perusing college and university websites, consulting non-profit educational
organizations like The College Board, taking advantage of events in your home country,
like Brussels College Night.
Of course, you can always contact your local EducationUSA Advising Center for personalized
advice.
Good luck!
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