With only a week left before winter break, it’s time that seniors start hustling to get in their counselor recommendation letter requests by Dec. 18 for the Jan. 15 deadline. 

“We just wanna make sure that we’re writing a thorough letter that properly highlights all of the assets of that student,” (A-E counselor) Kelli Chandler said. “These letters are not general where the names could be replaced. They’re specific to highlight the assets of that student. They just take time. So the sooner the student gets their request in and fills out the student brags sheet, the the better job we can do.”

For senior Nolan Sow, asking for a recommendation letter was one of the first steps on his checklist. 

“So I kind of knew that if I wanted to apply early or meet deadlines I would need to ask for counselor recommendations,” Sow said. “Counselors have tons of students each so just make sure you’re being considerate of not only yourself but the counselors’ times as well.”

For Chandler the letter-writing process is detailed, making sure students get the best recommendation possible. 

“Each time we get a request for a rec letter, I print out that student’s brags sheet and have that next to me. I have the student’s transcript in front of me, um, and then I go to create his or her letter,” Chandler said. “So, we’re finding the traits that you want to highlight in your letter and then penning a letter that properly addresses all of that. So it is not something where you there’s not a form letter that we just copy and paste things.”