LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

COUNSELOR PACKET for MS SOUDER & MS BAKER

YOUR NAME: ______

COUNSELOR INFORMATION: Sheila R. Souder or Molly Baker TITLE: Counselor

SCHOOL: Sir Francis Drake High School, 1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo CA 94960

SOUDER CONTACT INFO: PHONE: (415) 458-3436

BAKER CONTACT INFO: PHONE: (415) 458-3447

COLLEGE BOARD CODE: 052770

v  Fill out this packet completely and thoughtfully. Most private schools require a letter of recommendation from your Counselor. UC/CSU’s do not accept them. Out of state public universities may or may not want/accept them.

v  Deadline: October 1ST!! IT IS FIRM - But earlier is better. April 19th is the BEST time.

When turning in your completed packet, please also include the following items listed below.

v  The names of four teachers who know you well but who are NOT writing you a letter of recommendation:

______

v  IMPORTANT COMMON APP INFO: We will be using the Common Application on-line for all colleges who are members. Common Application: application deadlines vary by college. Carefully review and record all deadlines. Make special note of all supplemental questions/essays and deadlines for completion. Invite your Counselor, and two teachers (from two different subject areas) as your Teachers to be your recommenders. When you invite your Counselor, we recommend that you check the “yes” box which waives your right to access her recommendation - this helps ensure that colleges can trust that they have an honest recommendation.

v  TRANSCRIPTS:

o  Common App: Your Counselor will upload these automatically to your account

o  UC’s: only want a transcript if they specifically request – see Registrar for transcript

o  CSU’s: vary by campus – check with each campus – see Registrar for transcript

o  Non-Common App: We will send IF we are sending or uploading the letter or school report. For all others, see Registrar for transcript

v  College of Marin transcripts must be sent directly from COM to your college choices. This is a STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY.

v  SAT/ACT test scores must be sent directly from the testing company to your college choices. This is a STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY. Do this online at www.collegeboard.com and/or www.actstudent.org

v  Please attach a resume that includes the following: Activities (including your roles), volunteer/community service work, honors/awards, and paid work (job title and duties), etc.

v  On Naviance, please list all of the colleges to which you are applying.

v  If you are applying EARLY ADMISSION OR EARLY DECISION, please list the name/s of the college/s here. If you are not sure where you are applying, please put all colleges of interest to you in Naviance.

v  ______

v  ______

v  ______

Please answer the following questions completely and thoughtfully.

List five adjectives that best describe you and briefly (ten words or so) describe why?

Describe two accomplishments of which you are most proud (i.e., academic, athletic, creative, community, etc.).

List two experiences that have had the greatest impact on your life. Briefly describe them.


What teacher(s) and/or courses have been the most influential/inspirational during high school & why?

What challenges you the most in school and how have you dealt with or overcome this challenge?

What subject do you enjoy the most in school, and why?

What are you considering for a college major and what inspired you to consider this major? If you have any experience related to the major please describe it. If applying undeclared, please feel free to share any potential areas of study you are considering.

List the strengths that have been most helpful to you in athletic or extracurricular endeavors (i.e., Drama, Mock Trial, ballet, etc.)

How do you spend your free time? What hobbies/interests do you enjoy outside of school?

Tell me something unusual/unique about you or your circumstance that sets you apart from your peers.

Describe a problem you have solved or would like to solve (i.e., intellectual challenge, research query, an ethical dilemma – anything of personal importance). Why did that interest you, specifically? What steps did/would you take to solve the problem?

What summer plans do you have (or did you complete) that will advance your candidacy for admission to your chosen universities?

What do you hope to learn/gain in your years at university? (For example: specific job skills, expand knowledge, grow as a critical thinker, play a competitive sport, travel abroad.) Please tell me in 2-3 sentences about your own personal goals and hopes for yourself.

Visualize yourself at age 28. What have you accomplished, how have you grown and what are your future goals?

In the space below, please write one to three sentences that you feel best encapsulate your motivation and potential:

Great job! Thank you the helpful and descriptive information. It is certain to help your Counselor communicate your strengths and potential to the colleges you have chosen.

Sheila Souder & Molly Baker

PARENTS: As you know your child better than anyone else, we would love to hear from you! What would you like your student’s counselor to consider when writing her letter of recommendation for your child? Please feel free to brag about your student’s unique strengths and qualities! Please send an email directly to or instead of doing it on this form. Thank you for your input.

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