Academic Information Sheet for Letters of Recommendation
Student’s Name:
In preparing your letter of recommendation, we want to provide the colleges with an overview of
your academic background and achievements. We need your candid thoughts on the following
topics. Please be honest and specific! Be sure to complete each and every question. The
information you provide will be shared with the teacher who will be writing your
recommendation.
1. What three or four words best describe you?
2. What are the qualities that set you apart from others?
3. What are your academic strengths?
4. What have been your favorite courses (forget the grades)?
5. Describe in detail a significant project, paper, or assignment you remember from the
above course(s).
6. What did you learn in general from this teacher and their class?
7. What did you learn specifically from this teacher and their class?
8. What experience in the past few years has excited you academically or intellectually?
9. Do you feel you have worked up to your potential? What do you think is an accurate
measure of your work?
10. What do you want to learn more about in college?
11. What majors are you considering in college?
12. What are your present career goals (general and/or specific)? Why?
13. What one aspect of yourself would you emphasize if you were writing your own letter of
recommendation? Use an example or anecdote to explain.
Reminder: You must return the completed Academic Information Sheet to the College
Advisor by June 7.
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Preferences for Recommendations
Student’s Name:_________________________E-mail Address:____________________
Favorite course(s):________________________________________________________
Possible major(s) in college:_________________________________________________
Identify – in rank order – up to three faculty members who you believe could write an
insightful and favorable letter of recommendation. Some factors to consider:
 Somebody that knows you well through academics (preferred)
 Pick a teacher where you have been challenged. Someone who could write about
a specific project or paper you have completed.
 Have you had a teacher for more than one course? If so, they would be familiar
with your academic background.
Remember to list only teachers (sophomore and junior year recommended) and to print their
names legibly.
1. Teacher:______________________________________________________________
Reason for selection:_______________________________________________________
2. Teacher:______________________________________________________________
Reason for selection:_______________________________________________________
3. Teacher:______________________________________________________________
Reason for selection:_______________________________________________________
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IMPORTANT REMINDER: You must return your completed Academic Information Sheet to
the College Advisor by June 7. Without the Academic Information Sheet, no teacher will be
assigned to write your letter of recommendation.
TO:
Faculty
FROM:
David LaNore
SUBJECT: Letters of Recommendation for College Applicants
Here are some tips about how to write letters of recommendation.
Note: At highly selective schools teacher recommendations help differentiate a student from other excellent
candidates. Good letters describe students’ strengths and document them with anecdotal detail. When there is a
discrepancy in the academic record, relevant explanations can be helpful.
We suggest that before writing a letter, you recall student characteristics and notice
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A paper that moves beyond an assignment
A student’s level of academic depth
An example of creativity
An astute comment in class
A kindness to another student
An instance illustrating energy, humor, fairness, honesty, insight, or maturity
A response to a setback
A student’s range of intellectual interests
Jot reminder words on scrap paper to store and record observations that illustrate strengths and
can make the student come alive. When you agree to write a letter, ask the student to supply old
papers and resumes.
When writing:
 Try to begin by creating an image of the student if possible
 Describe the context of your relationship with the student
 Focus first on the student’s performance in your discipline, using anecdotes
 Offer a clear indication of where the student fits within a context of a class
 Describe and document the student’s personal strengths like leadership ability, maturity,
integrity, etc.
Avoid:
 Repeating what is obvious in the academic record (GPA, test scores, courses taken).
 Listing a string of activities and awards
 Generalities and platitudes
Consider sharing the letter with another staff member who knows the student for reality
checking.
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Send and electronic copy to (College Advisor’s email address)
SAVE A COPY OF THE LETTER FOR YOUR RECORDS
THE POWER OF WORD CHOICE
WORDS WHICH IMPLY A PERSONAL JUDGMENT ARE OFTEN INAPPROPRIATE:
Womanly
Manly
Cute
Pixyish
Strapping
Handsome
Nervous
Pretty
Obsessive
Tense
Unwomanly
Feeble
Odious
Virile
Unmanly
Buxom
Good-looking
Winsome
WORDS WHICH SUGGEST ANY REFERENCE TO RACE, SEX, RELIGION,
APPEARANCE, POLITICS ARE USUALLY INAPPROPRIATE.
WORDS WHICH ARE NONDESCRIPT DILUTE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A LETTER:
Nice
Reasonable
Competent
Pleasant
Decent
Ordinary
Good
Meaningful
Solid
Civil
Likable
Fairly
Appropriate
Satisfactory
Apt
Very
WORDS WHICH ARE POWERFUL INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A LETTER:
Edge
Expressive
Impact
Brilliant
Acclaim
Significant
Imaginative
Focus
Capacity
Endearing
Force
Innovative
Poise
Assertive
Sophisticated
Mature
Witty
Charismatic
Survivor
Urbane
Intelligent
Prestige
Reputation
CONSIDER THE CONTEXT ALWAYS! EVEN “POWER” WORDS ARE
“POWERLESS” WITHOUT SUPPORTING DETAILS!
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THE POWER OF WORD CHOICE
1. MENTAL QUALITIES:
Educated
Learned
Prudent
Erudite
Talented
Shrewd
Scholarly
Rational
Clever
Gifted
Sensible
Wise
Capable
Observant
Subtle
Astute
Precocious
Intellectual
Reasonable
Inventive
Ingenious
Honorable
Respectable
Straightforward
Genial
Polite
Affable
Cordial
Cheerful
Ebullient
Impressive
Nonchalant
Influential
Charitable
Patient
Conscientious
Assiduous
Punctual
Determined
Plucky
Yukky
Persuasive
Unaffected
Modest
Indifferent
Imposing
Magnanimous
Humane
Persevering
Diligent
Earnest
Resolute
Valorous
Sober
Cautious
Reserved
Considerate
Ingenious
Unassuming
Philosophical
2. MORAL QUALITIES:
Idealistic
Decent
Exemplary
Truthful
Trustworthy
Temperate
3. SOCIAL QUALITIES:
Tactful
Cooperative
Courteous
Gracious
Amicable
Amiable
Sensitive
Sociable
Convivial
4. GENERAL PERSONAL QUALITIES:
Distinguished
Imperturbable
Munificent
Compassionate
Industrious
Resourceful
Zealous
Confident
Intrepid
Solemn
Garrulous
Taciturn
Responsive
Reticent
Amenable
Serene
Eminent
Generous
Sympathetic
Tolerant
Persistent
Scrupulous
Enthusiastic
Self-reliant
Courageous
Serious
Wary
Laconic
Natural
Humble
Self-effacing
Pensive
Admirable
Benevolent
Gentle
Ambitious
Efficient
Uncompromising
Strong-willed
Self-starter
Indomitable
Sedate
Eloquent
Witty
Candid
The Synonym Finder, J.I. Rodale, Warner Books, A Warner Communications Company by arrangement with
Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18049.
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