Homeschool students often run into the problem of who to ask for a letter of recommendation. If students have been involved in co-op classes, dual credit classes, music lessons, or community service, they should have plenty of choices for letters of recommendation.
Can you, the parent/teacher/counselor write a letter of recommendation for your own child?
Yes, you can, in some cases.
I have written several letters for my high school senior this year. It was a little strange at first writing a letter telling how awesome my son is, but I figured out how to give a balanced (hopefully objective), view of my student.
I have used the following basic outline to write my letters.
1. Check with the school or scholarship program to make sure they will accept a letter from the parent as the teacher/counselor recommendation.
2. Be as objective as possible.
3. Don’t repeat the transcript or resume’ in your letter of recommendation
4. Tell a story or two that demonstrates strong points of your student - characteristics that might not be obvious by looking at the resume’ or transcript.
5. Tell why your student would be a good fit for the college you are writing the recommendation for.
In my letters I have included a statement that indicated I was trying to be objective even though I am the parent/teacher.
Don’t be intimidated by writing a recommendation for your own child.
But, don’t embellish the facts, either.
Have you written letters of recommendation for your student?
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3 comments:
I've not had to write one yet for my daughter, but have been mentally prepared just in case. My son applies to college next year so I might have to then. I appreciate your posting your outline.
We are fortunate that the kids can find dual credit professors, bosses, and 4-H leaders to write letters of recommendation.
I never needed to write a counselor recommendation until my fifth child applied to college. I honestly don't remember what my other students did or if they never needed a 'high school counselor' recommendation. We also had plenty of other people to ask for recommendations, but technically, I am the high school counselor, so I have now written 3-4 letters in the past couple years. Glad my thoughts on the matter were helpful.
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