Counselor Recommendation Packet 2014-2015

Please type and save your responses directly onto this form.

All forms must be given back to your counselor by OCTOBER 31st.

IF YOU ARE APPLYING EARLY DECISION/EARLY ACTION,IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM YOUR COUNSELOR/TEACHER OF THOSE DEADLINES.

Steps:

  1. Ask your counselor if he/she will write a letter of recommendation for you. Makearrangements for an interview.
  1. The Common Application has an on-line recommendation feature that counselors andteachers may use. You will submit the name and email address of each school official who will write a letter of recommendation for you. Afterwards, a link will automatically be sent to each submitted school official.
  1. Complete the Personal Information section (Form A), print the form out, and give Form A back to your counselor. The more detailed you are, the more detailed your letter of recommendation will be.
  1. Print out a Teacher Feedback Form (Form B) for up to three teachers, who need to give the forms back to your counselor. Teachers must be from your junior or senior year. One teacher must be an English teacher; one from another academic subject area; and the 3rdcan be from any department. Write the name of the counselor who is writing yourletter on the bottom of each form.
  1. Have your parent/guardian complete (Form C) and return this to your counselor.
  1. Express gratitude! Write a thank you note to the counselor and/or teacher who writes aletter of recommendation for you.
  1. Say it loud- Say it proud! Counselors and teachers are rooting for you and would love to be kept in the loop. Send them brief emails or stop by to let them know where you were accepted and/or where you decide to attend.

8. MidYear Reports are sent from the college office. Please follow up with the college office.

FORM A

GRANADA HILLS CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Personal Information 2014-2015

1. Student’s Name (Last, First Middle)

2. GHCHS ID #:

3. List ten adjectives which you believe best describe you as a person and which set you apart from your

classmates.

4. What would you want to be sure a college admissions office knows about you? Please put something in this area that describes how you are unique and/or original. (DO NOT PUT “Hard-working, great student, determined, perform to my fullest capacity.”)

5. What undergraduate major do you have in mind, if any?

6a.If you have already selected a career goal, describe it briefly and explain your attraction to it.

6b.What do you hope to accomplish in college and after? Consider your career goals and your broader goals.

7. List two teachers you will ask to write a recommendation.

8a. List your extracurricular school activities for each year, the amount of time per week you spent, and whatyou have gained or learned from each activity. Consider artistic, athletics, literary, and leadership positions.

GRADE 9

GRADE 10

GRADE 11

GRADE 12

8b.Which activity was most important to you and why?

9a. List your extracurricular inside and outside of schoolactivities, awards, and honors (e.g. job, church, lessons, elected offices, hobbies, volunteer work, travel, music, art, drama) Be specific! Include the number of years and the amount of time you spent weekly.

9b.Which activity was most important to you and why?

10. Describe the academic accomplishment (major paper, science experiment, artistic project) you are most proud of and tell why you take pride in it.

11. Which academic settings or assignments make you thrive?

12. List your three most distinguishing or most admirable qualities. Explain each in several sentences.

13. Is there anything special or unusual about your family (e.g. cultural background, brothers, sisters, travels together, shared interests)?

14. What impact did you make in your school and/or community?

15. What would the person who knows you best say about you? Why?

16. Describe a major challenge in your life and how you have dealt with the challenge.

17. Describe a time when you stepped up to a leadership role in or outside of school. What was the effect of your actions?

The time you have devoted to filling out this questionnaire will help your counselor

fill out college admissions and scholarship forms. Feel free to attach a resume or a brag sheet.

FORM B

TEACHER FEEDBACK FORM

(Please give this back to the counselor, so they can incorporate your

feedback in their letter of recommendation.)

Date:

Student’s name:

Name of colleges student is applying to:

Teacher’sname:

  1. How long have you known this student?
  1. In what context have you known him/her?
  1. What are the first words that come to your mind about him/her?

Explain:

4. What do you see as this student’s personal and/or academic strengths?

5. What do you see as this student’s personal and/or academic weaknesses?

6. Please check, from your knowledge, all that apply:

This student has a “passion” for:

a. ______learning

b. ______helping others

c. ______leadership opportunities

d. ______other ______

7. What specifically will you always remember about this student?

PLEASE FILL IN THE INFORMATION ON THE OTHER SIDE.

Please return to Counselor______by OCTOBER 31st

FORM B (continued)

Student’s name:Teacher’s name:

Frequently the counselors are asked to rate and comment on the characteristics listed below. Your impressions will insure that the school evaluation reflects more than one person’s bias.

Ratings: Compared to other college-bound students you have taught, rate this student in terms of academic skills, knowledge, and potential.

No Basis / Below Average / Average / Above Average / Well Above Average / Excellent / One of the top few in my career
Creative, original thought
Motivation
Independence, initiative
Intellectual potential
Academic achievement
Written Expression
Effective class discussions
Disciplined work habits
Self-confidence
Emotional maturity
Analytical skills
Sense of humor
Open-mindedness
Concern for others
OVERALL EVALUATION

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT!

FORM C

PARENT/GUARDIAN FEEDBACK

Student’s name:

Your name:

Please feel free to type your answers on a separate sheet or write on the back of this sheet if you need additional space.

The words that first come to mind to describe my son or daughter are:

I’d like you to know the following information /anecdote about my daughter/son:

I think he/she would do best in the following college setting (describe location, size, cost, etc.):

Explain:

1