Necessary or suggestible ask for recommendations for college.

[newbie]

My dd has started asking teachers for recommendations for college.

For BTDT, is it necessary, does it look good in college folder. Or should we quit begging.

Jet

[Jane in NC]

Since I am not in the BTDT crowd, I may be mistaken, but I believe that colleges want letters mailed directly to them from the person writing the recommendation--not a copy from parents' files.

In fact, letters of recommendation that my son has needed thus far (job in a summer science school and competitive application process for a science camp funded by foundations) both required that letters be mailed from the writer to the organization, bypassing us altogether.

So I don't think that I would ask for a physical letter at this time. Rather, I would ask if the person would write a letter of recommendation down the road. If your student applies to a number of colleges or competitive summer programs, you will be asking for a lot of letters. It is nice to have a list of people from whom to choose.

Jane

[Gwen in VA]

I don't know how old your son is, but colleges really want to see recommendations from folks who have worked with your child recently -- junior year is ideal. Teachers from reshman year don't make great rec writers!

Folks who have worked with your child over several years or who have worked with your child in several areas make the BEST rec writers.

[newbie]

Thanks for the info. So I guess I will start this yr. and just get name and addresses for future references.

Thank you,

Jet