Appraisal Packet: Appraisal Form- Counselor

Please create an appraisal packet with the following: cover letter, appraisal form, transcript, resume, draft of your college essay.

*Questions? Ask your academic counselor, Ms. S. Chan (, RM 258F) or Vicki Kong (, RM 209)

Guidelines for Requesting a Recommendation Letter:

  1. Please politely ask your recommender to write your letter, and give at least 4 weeks advance notice prior to the deadline. Don’t take it personally, if the recommender declines in writing you a letter.
  2. Choose a recommender(s) that know(s) you very well. For private colleges, you typically ask for 2 academic teachers from 11th or 10th grade, and 1 counselor.
  3. Provide your appraisal packet for the recommender(s).
  4. Follow through to make sure the application was sent, and received by the recipient(s).
  5. Be sure to have your recommenders’ correct information: full name, email address, and phone number. You will need this for the application.
  6. Don't forget to thank your recommender with a card for writing your recommendation letters.
  7. You can use the same college recommendation letter for scholarships. Do not ask for more people for a new recommendation letter.
  8. Please type responses: be thoughtful and detailed with your answers, include examples to support your point. Don’t worry about the amount of space you will be using for your answers.

Name: ______Email: ______Phone: ______

Why are you a good candidate for this Program, Private College, or Scholarship?

Intended Major(s):______UC A-G GPA (Weighted):______SAT/ACT/AP Scores: ______

What factors, if any, have prevented you from achieving your academic goals?

What are 5-10 adjectives you would use to describe yourself? Please provide examples:

What are your strengths? Please list two strengths and provide examples:

What are your areas of improvement? Please list two and provide examples:

How do you plan on “improving” them?

Family Background:

How many members are in your family? ______Estimated annual family income: ______

How many siblings are currently enrolled in college? ______Which college(s)? ______

Are your parent(s) immigrants to this country? Y/N (Circle One) Do you have free lunch? Y/N (Circle One)

If yes, from where: ______When did they immigrate: ______

What was their reason for immigrating: ______

What is your father’s current occupation? ______Mother’s occupation: ______

What is your father’s highest level of education? ______Mother’s highest level of education: ______

What neighborhood do you live in? Please describe your neighborhood/community. What challenges do you face in your community?

How do you give back to your neighborhood/community?

What challenges do you face? Please include particularities of your family situation (e.g. unemployment, divorce, terminal illness, gambling addiction) or responsibilities, after-school obligations, sibling childcare, challenges/obstacles you have face, either positive or negative. Please provide details.

Personal Background:

Are you an immigrant? Y/N (Circle One) If yes, how long have you been in the U.S., and from where?

Have you participated in any extra-curricular activities related to your career goal? If yes, please explain:

Have you/Will you apply for financial aid (FAFSA/ Dream Act)?

Amongst all the extra-curricular activities/community service/programs/sports/honors/awards you’ve accomplished, list the 2 most significant activities and explain why:

1.

2.

Please elaborate on the above activities, indicate any leadership positions: How have you demonstrated your leadership ability? What is your proudest moment from your most significant activity?

How have you demonstrated your leadership elsewhere? E.g. at school, community away from school, or home.

Describe your approach to learning: e.g. How do you learn best in class? How do you study? How involved are you in class?

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

Are you part of any pathways at Galileo? ______If so, please list the pathways and explain: why you chose this, what do you like about it, and do you intend to further pursue this in college?

Lastly, what are three things you would like me to emphasize in your recommendation letter? Why?

Updated: 4/2015