<p>So I have just decided that my dream school is Smith, or some other private women’s college. I can’t pay for it out of pocket, but I hear those schools give good aid, if only one applies first. The problem is I’ve only done applications for public schools, so I have no letters of recommendation. What should I do? Can letters of rec be about three sentences long? Help!</p>
<p>When is the application due? A three sentence letter, are you serious? Might as well not apply, honestly. Ask your teachers RIGHT AWAY before your winter break. You most likely need one from your counselor. Hopefully they will be nice enough to get it done before the deadline. Some teachers want at least 3 weeks to complete a letter to make sure it’s the best it can be. Good luck.</p>
<p>Really? They have to pieces of literature to get in? Because honestly, I’d expect all letters of rec to say near-about the same thing. How could they not? I * do * think they’re unethical, and there are plenty of other qualifications that are more student-produced than letters of rec. Okay. I will email my teachers though, so thanks for the tip.</p>
<p>Un ethical? Hobbit: you need some perspective here. YOU are the one who painted yourself into a corner. If indeed Smith is your dream school, ought you not have known the basics of the entrance requirements before now? Humble out. Rec letters are one of the few items that allow applicants to be differentiated.</p>
<p>As for “all rec letters say the same thing” you clearly haven’t read any. Have a look here for great advice for your potential letter writers. While MIT specific, the advice is sound for a school like Smith.</p>
<p>[Writing</a> Recommendations | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs]Writing”>How to write good letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions)</p>
<p>Honestly if I were you, I would call Smith Admissions and ask if the rec letters can come in tardy and then beg & plead your teachers to help you out – even though you are very late in the game.</p>
<p>Good luck to you. Smith is a wonderful college.</p>