Flickr user Tnarik Innael
A great letter of recommendation can give you the competitive edge and help you stand out from the hundreds of other applicants. While you may not be doing the actual writing, there are a few things you can do that will influence the way your letter shapes up.
These tips will help you obtain the best recommendation letter possible:
Read through the college requirements thoroughly and make a note of the details against each school. Make sure you follow all instructions to the letter.
Choose your letter writer carefully. It should be someone who knows you and who has seen you grow and progress academically.
Give your chosen writer ample time to write the letter. It takes time to create a meaningful letter of recommendation. Asking at the last minute will result in a rushed letter that may not get you the results you want.
Schedule some time to spend with the writer and tell them about your goals.
Give the writer all the information they need so they can craft a compelling recommendation letter that highlights your skills, accomplishments, and career goals. It’s not possible for another person to know everything about you so must put together all details in a kind of cheat sheet that the writer can use as reference. The cheat sheet must have details about your notable achievements, your career goals, and any other special skills and interests that you want to bring to the notice of the college admissions office.
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