I am applying to a few Ivies and Northwestern and I am planning on swimming for them.
I do not know my counselor very well (I have only talked to her once), and I am afraid that my counselor’s letter of recommendation would not be that strong? How should I ask for a letter of recommendation from her? Should I email her asking to set up a meeting so we can discuss the letter?
Additionally, I was wondering if I should add a supplementary letter of recommendation and I am having trouble deciding between my principal or coach. My high school swim coach does not know anything about my academics, but knows more about who I am. On the other hand, my principal knows more about my academics but not that much about who I am.
Thanks!
Your GC usually knows they need to write a rec. just ask how to handle it. Ours had a parent write about the kid so she could get a better sense of him.
Supplemental, either is fine.
I’m not sure how athletic recruiting works, but maybe your high school swim coach should reach out to your college list swim coaches via letter or phone call.
Maybe some others with experience can chime in?
Most colleges require a LOR from a guidance counselor. Many of them are generic as guidance counselors in many schools are just overwhelmed with tons of students applying to college so I would not worry about it. I would not arrange a meeting to “talk about the LOR” as that may come off as presumptuous, but you can ask for a meeting to discuss your college plans and ask for input from the guidance counselor. During the meeting you can also ask if there is anything you can provide to help him/her write your college LOR (ex. a resume etc.). Our HS has every student fill out a brag sheet for their guidance counselor (listing activities etc. that don’t appear on transcript).
And the coach does not need to talk about your academics – any supplemental recommendation should talk about a different part of your personality/abilities etc. (since the two teacher recs should sufficiently cover academics) so I would say the coach might be a good one to ask, especially if you are hoping to swim in college (if he/she talks about your hard work, being a team leader etc. that can only help IMO).
Can Principals even write letters of recommendation? Isn’t that seen as biased in some way unless the Principal also teaches a class or is the faculty adviser to student government and you are the school secretary and work closely with the Principal in that capacity?