Carmel High School - Counselor Recommendation Packet
Class of 2016
Student Name _____________________________________
Email Address _____________________________________
Cell Phone Number _________________________________
Student ID ________________________________________
Deadline: No later than September 14, 2015
You must type the information into this document and give your counselor either a printed paper copy
or email a copy to them.
The amount of effort that you put into this document will reflect the amount of effort that your counselor can put
into your letter of recommendation.
Your Completed Packet Must Include:
_____ Student Information & Self Assessment
_____ Student/Parent Signatures
_____ Activity Resume/List
_____ Parent Response
_____ At least one College Application Essays
A counselor letter of recommendation will summarize you as a whole student, while any teacher
recommendations should provide specific details about you as a learner in the classroom. Therefore, it is not
appropriate to give this packet to your teacher. Please complete a Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire to
give to each teacher you are requesting to write a letter.
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015
STUDENT INFORMATION & SELF-ASSESSMENT
Please list the colleges to which you will apply. It is your responsibility to keep your counselor up-to-date
regarding your college application plans.
Note: This listing does NOT constitute a transcript request; you must file all transcript requests with Parchment
www.parchment.com in the fall of your senior year.
College Name
Application Deadline Date
Type of Application
(Early Decision, Early Action, Regular, Rolling)
Majors/Minors being considered:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Career goal being considered:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
I have read and understand all of the information included in this packet. I waive my right to access my
counselor letter of recommendation and/or my secondary school report at anytime (including after my
graduation). Note: Typing your name below constitutes as your signature if you submit this document
electronically.
Student Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________
Parent Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________
If you have any concerns about this waiver, please contact your school counselor directly.
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015
STUDENT INFORMATION & SELF-ASSESSMENT
**Be sure to explain your answers. By providing specific details, you assist your counselor in conveying the most
accurate story of who you really are to the College Admissions Committee. Show, don’t tell!**
Are you the first in your family to attend college?
Which teachers will you ask to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf?
What three words best describe you, and why do you think they are good descriptors? Provide detailed
examples, anecdotes, etc.
What are your personal strengths? Give examples that document them.
What are your academic strengths? These should be different than your personal strengths from above.
Besides a future career, how will college benefit your academic curiosity? What else are you looking for in
your college experience?
What has been the most satisfying course you have taken in high school? Why?
Life’s obstacles allow us to grow. Describe an obstacle that has affected you. Please provide details.
What single activity has been most important to you and why? (You may choose a school-affiliated program or
an independent one.)
What three things would you want a college admissions committee to know about you? Give examples or
relate a specific anecdote to explain.
Reflect on your time at Carmel High School. How have you changed Carmel High School? How has Carmel
High School changed you?
Describe any work or volunteer experiences you have had. How did the experience impact you?
Describe an incident in which you demonstrated strong character and/or leadership.
If you could choose one idea/activity/experience for me to focus on in your recommendation letter, what would
it be and why?
If I asked your closest friends to describe you, what would they say?
How did you come to choose your intended major/career path?
If you had a motto to live by, what would it be and why?
Have you had any disciplinary violations during high school? If yes, please explain.
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015
You may include your own Resume/Activity List OR use one of the next two pages
as your template.
ACTIVITY LIST FOR: _________________________________
FRESHMAN YEAR ACTIVITIES
SOPHOMORE YEAR ACTIVITIES
JUNIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES
SENIOR YEAR ACTIVITIES
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015
YOUR NAME
Street Address ↜ City, State Zip Code
Phone Number ↜ Email Address
EDUCATION
Carmel High School
2012-2016
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
●
●
●
●
●
ATHLETICS
●
●
●
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
●
●
●
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
●
●
●
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
●
●
●
SPECIAL SKILLS AND INTERESTS
●
●
●
WORK EXPERIENCE
●
●
●
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015
PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSES
**Be sure to explain your answers. By providing specific details, you assist your student’s counselor in conveying the
most accurate story of who your child really is to the College Admissions Committee.**
Your student should submit the completed packet (including the parent/guardian
response) no later than September 14, 2015.
Please share with me the colleges you think would be a good match for your student. Why, specifically, do you
feel these are a good match for your student?
Are there any financial and/or personal limitations that could impact where your student applies?
List three adjectives that you feel best describe your student. Please provide detailed examples or anecdotes.
Describe one or two major events that you see as turning points in your son/daughter’s development. Explain
the significance of these to his/her development.
Describe any cultural experiences and their impact on your child.
Are there any unusual or personal circumstances which have affected your child’s educational or personal
experiences? For example, has your child overcome obstacles or adversity, demonstrated strength, courage
and resiliency?
His/her greatest strength is:
His/her greatest weakness is:
Please relate anecdotes that describe your student’s strengths, accomplishments, preferences, character,
work habits, goals, personality, etc.
Is there anything you wish to add which would help me in writing a letter of recommendation for your student?
Completed Packet is Due to Your Counselor no later than September 14, 2015