2020-21 Letter of Recommendation Packet - Secondary School Report and Letters of Recommendation

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

2020-21 Letter of Recommendation Packet provides guidance for submitting secondary school reports and teacher or counselor letters for most private university and scholarship applications, including when letters are not required or accepted by certain California public universities. It explains how recommendation letters support evaluators by highlighting character and activities beyond grades. The packet outlines steps for using Common App, waiving FERPA rights, completing required counselor items, transcript ordering via Parchment, and key submission deadlines to avoid generic or missing recommendations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Secondary School Report and Letters of Recommendation

When letters are required and when they are not

How recommendations are used

Teacher Letter of Recommendation Packet

Required actions and student inputs

Common App recommender contact details

Counselor Letter of Recommendation Packet

Online submission and recommender details

Required packet components

Transcripts and transcript ordering

Parchment and Common App process

UC/CSU transcript guidance

Packet due dates and deadlines

2020-21 Letter of Recommendation Packet Please keep this top sheet for your reference Secondary School Report and Letters ofRecommendation: • Most private university and scholarship applications will require that students submit secondary school reports and letter(s) of recommendation. Please Note: California public universities (Cal States and UCs) do not require or accept letters of recommendation. DO NOT complete this packet if these are the only types of colleges to which you are applying • Secondary School Report and letters of recommendation give evaluators and selection committees’ alternate information about you the person. Keep in mind that these individuals will already have objective information – your grades, classes and test scores– they wantto knowabout your character and who you are outside of the classroom, more appropriately, howothers see you! • Many colleges subscribe to Common App ([www.commonapp.org](www.commonapp.org)). This is a convenient way for you to streamline multiple college applications in one place. If you do not find your college listed on Common App, please check their admission page for their preferred application. • It is highly recommended that you waive your FERPA rights. Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful. Teacher Letter of Recommendation packet: Universities typically require 1-2 letters of recommendation from teachers. Check each university’s application to determine if teachers ofa specific grade level (or subject area) need to write the letter. 􀀹 Ask teachers, who knowyou well and who will write you a personalized and positive letter of recommendation. It is preferable that you are currently in his or her class or were a student of theirs the previous year. 􀀹 Complete the Student Input for Teacher Rec Form-Provide your recommenders with important information that they may need to write a letter that truly represents your good qualities, character and outstanding skills. 􀀹 Provide a completed copy of the College Application Worksheet 􀀹 Common App– You must add the teachers name and email address on the “recommenders”section of the Common App. Ask your teachers which email address he/she would like you to use. This will send thema link, which they will then use to attach the recommendation to your application. Counselor Letter of Recommendation Packet: • All counselors will submit their letters online. Identify your letter writer and add their name and email (be sure to use the one listed in this packet) to the “recommenders” section of the Common App. Use this counselor’s name and email anywhere it asks you foryour counselor’s name on your application. • Complete all items noted belowand deliver to your counselor in a large manila envelope (it will be helpful for you to attach a copy of the college application worksheet to the outside of your envelope) . Be sure to deliver directly to your letter writer. Do not leave it on their desk or outside their door Counselor Letter of Recommendation packets MUST include: 􀀹 Cover Page 􀀹 College Application Worksheet 􀀹 Student Profile 􀀹 Self-Evaluation 􀀹 Personal Letter of Recommendation – Refer to sample 􀀹 Student Resume – Refer to sample Optional (but highly recommended) 􀀹 College Essay (rough draft ok) 􀀹 Parent Brag Letter Transcripts: SVUSD utilizes Parchment as their transcript management system ([www.parchment.com](www.parchment.com)). For Common App schools, you must order just one transcript to be sent to Common App. This will link to all colleges listed within your Common App account. Remember, UC and CSU campuses do not want a transcript. Students will be notified if these colleges would like one sent later. | Packet Due Date | Deadlines-College/Scholarship Evaluations and Recommendations | | --- | --- | | Friday – October 2, 2020 | College applications or scho

FAQs

Which colleges may require secondary school reports and letters of recommendation?

Most private university and scholarship applications require secondary school reports and one or more letters of recommendation. The packet warns that California public universities (Cal States and UCs) do not require or accept letters of recommendation.

Why is waiving FERPA rights recommended?

Waiving FERPA rights signals that students do not plan to read their recommendations. This helps colleges feel confident that letters will be candid and truthful.

What must the counselor packet include?

The counselor letter packet must include a Cover Page, College Application Worksheet, Student Profile, Self-Evaluation, Personal Letter of Recommendation (referring to the sample), Student Resume (optional but highly recommended, referring to the sample), College Essay (rough draft ok), and Parent Brag Letter.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai