aditya birla world academy
TRANSCRIPT
Recommendation Writing WorkshopDr. Sonia Soni - July 2016
DR. SONIA SONI HEAD -Career Guidance Counsellor,
Psychology Faculty - International Curriculums.Aditya Birla World Academy
Vastu Shilp Annexe, Gamadia colony, JD Road, Tardeo, Mumbai 400 007
Doctorate in clinical psychology Practicing counselling for the past 11 years.
Certificate in College Counselling UCLA Teaching IB psychology for the past 8
years 4 years’ experience as an IB examiner,
doing extended essay in Psychology and World Studies. (IA moderation)
Script marking. (paper 1, paper 2 and paper 3)
Certificate Program in college admissions & career planning (University of California LA)
• How are letters of recommendations used by the admissions officers?
• Who really reads the recommendations?• What qualities make a letter of
recommendation effective?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS• What is the purpose of a letter of
recommendation?• Which colleges require letters of
recommendation?• Do I have to write a letter of recommendation
for a student?• How much credence do colleges place in
teacher recommendations?
UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS IS A PROCESS AND NOT A PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIGHT SUBJECTS +RIGHT CURRICULUM=THE BEST FIT COLLEGE
YOUR STUDENT AND HIS COLLEGE CHOICE?
WHAT’S IMPORTANT A COLLEGE OR
A COURSE?WHO DECIDES?
Your performance at every level of education will play a large part in determining your
CAREER CHOICES.
we’ll help you do it
It’s easy when you have the right people around you
WRITING LETTERS OF
RECOMMENDATION
MANTRA:SHOW, DON’T TELL
Letters of Recommendation are Important
•Statement of support for a candidate.
•Providing sufficient evidence and information to help a selection committee in making its decision.
•Allows the reader to get a clear idea of what the person is “really” like
How schools look at1. Indian schools ; 1-d view of who you are2. In UK; 2-d view, 3. In USA; 3-d view
Dr. Sonia Soni HEAD - Career Guidance Counselor, Psychology Faculty - International Curriculums
Indian schools like IIT would like to see only a one dimensional view of candidate, that is entrance exam score.
Universities in UK need Grades and SOP.
US Universities want to know every thing, all about the candidate, from 9th grade onwards.
A 3-dimensional viewThat is where programs like Honors, MOS and SEP come in.
Reflects Strength of the StudentIntellectual ability/curiosityOriginalityCritical thinkerTechnical skillsAbility to incorporate new
ideasLeadership abilityInitiativeWork ethic/ hard workingMaturity
Communication skills (verbal & written)
Academic performance Honors and awards Integrity/ reliability Willingness to follow lab
policy Ability to work with others Ability to work independently
General Tips for Your Letters
1. 1 OR 2 PAGES
2. Font 12 point
3. Bold or italicize important information
4. Add personal remarks/ stories
5. DON’T FORGET TO PROOF READ!!!!
6. Include your contact information
7. Keep copies for your records
What helps• Provide specific information about the applicant
• Mention how the writer knows the applicant
• Give examples of what the applicant has done.
• Why the applicant would be a strong candidate for the specific University.
• Place the student in a larger context.
• Mention specific strengths.
QUALIFY YOUR ADJECTIVES PROVIDE SPECIFICS MAKE THE LETTER EVALUATIVE RELAY CLASS INVOLVEMENT BE HONEST, MAINTAIN CREDIBILITY WRITE A PAGE AT LEAST
DO’S
What’s Not Helpful!•Short, uninspired or non-specific letters•Generic letters •Summary letters of scores, class rank, etc.•Faint or undocumented praise •Letters telling about yourself•Letters implying criticism.
WRITE THREE PAGES MENTION PHYSICAL APPEARANCE WRITING ABOUT YOUR CREDENTIALS MERELY PROVIDE A LIST OF ADJECTIVES REPORT APPLICANTS ACTIVITIES AND GRADES AGREE TO WRITE A LETTER WITH ONE DAY’S
NOTICE
DON’TS
WORDS MATTER…
gifted
trustworthydiligentgarrulous
determined
scholarly
inventive
zealous magnanimous
sophisticatedunassuming
• Don’t fake it with faint praise• Admissions officers can “read between the
lines” • Advocate for your student using whatever
examples you might have• Don’t write just to be “nice”
NOT A BUBBLER?
RECOMMENDATION WRITINGRESEARCH
• Interview the student • Highlight examples of personal/ academic
strengths• Discuss papers/projects of which student is most
proud• Discuss student’s passions• Give examples of risks taken
• Introduction• Academic Achievement/Performance• Character/Attitude• Future• Conclusion
STRUCTURING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Teacher vs. CounselorWhat’s the difference?• Teachers speak to
first- hand knowledge and observations
• Counselors present the “big picture”
“I really expect a teacher to address what type of student we are dealing with in an academic context while the counselor might address issues that deal with life outside of the classroom.”
Admissions Representative – Northwestern University
QUALITIES AND ADMISSIONS OFFICER LOOKS FOR
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTENGAGEMENT MOTIVATION IMPACTCREATIVITY
Student approach to the subject?Contributions of the student to the class?Student responded to challenges & opportunities?What would this student bring to the University? How would this student gain from the University?
QUESTIONS ASKED
• Student voice within the essay• Teacher letter of recommendation• Counselor letter of recommendation
Each voice takes on a different tone.
Three Voices Need to be Heard