College Applications.... Letters of Recommendations

[the_rev]

Here are the stats:

I have a 3.9 GPA
number 9 in a class of 120+
Participate in in Band, Forensics, Drama, Link Crew
[b]ACT: 21
[/b]

The last ACT is what I'm worried about. The only college the diocese wants me to go to, would like you to have a 24 or higher, but will consider you if you have at least a 20. I have a 21.

So I'm going to have letters of recommendations. The Bishop told me he would write me one, but my question is how many letters do you think I should send?

In the Lord,

Ed

[morostheos]

Does the application say anything about letters of recommendation?

If not, I would say no more than one or two max, as admissions officers generally don't want to read lots of extra stuff.

[blovedwolfofgod]

I would say two as well, unless the application requires more. ANd if your bishop is writing one for you, that is awesome.

and you were in forensics? thats cool. I went to NCFLs twice in duo interp. Broke to octafinals the first time and just barely missed the next cut. but hey, when you beat out 220 other teams, cant really complain!

but yeah... youre what the college boards call a shoo-in. 2 letters will be just fine. i had three, but then i was ony academically nominal.

[Era Might]

Dang Eddie. You're made in the shade. You'll get in wherever you want.

[the_rev]

[quote]Dang Eddie. You're made in the shade. You'll get in wherever you want.[/quote]

[quote]but yeah... youre what the college boards call a shoo-in. [/quote]

rI u sure? My ACT smells of elderberries....

so do you think my second letter should be from:

The Rector of the Cathedral for whom I work for; (the MSGR)
The Deacon of both parishes, whom I'm good friends with
A politician running for a congressional seat who was speaker of the wisconsin assembly
or the Future Governor of Wisconsin (that one might take some work as I don't know him as much as the above politician)

The rector aka MSGR, is the person who overseas my work for the Bishop, (preparing an autistic boy for confirmation)

The Deacon is the Episcobal Master of Cermonies, and is the deacon of the Cathedral and our sister parish, and is in charge of Religious Education which I will be teaching a class with our Parochial Vicar, (which is another option)

I know the politician quite well, as I campaign for him.

The governor, I'm on the task force and steering committee for our county's wish to elect him. (This one might be unlikly though....)

Edited July 17, 2006 by the_rev

[Era Might]

If your Bishop is writing one letter, you should probably try to get another letter from someone not associated with the Church. The politician sounds good, or a teacher maybe.

[the_rev]

that sounds like a good idea Eramight....

[inDEED]

Shoot...I never took the ACT and I graduated Arizona State with my degree in Religious Studies.

[homeschoolmom]

No more than two letters unless they request them.

[Sojourner]

Yeah, usually they'll tell you how many they want.

When I applied to law school, I ended up with (I think) three letters of reference -- my boss, a former co-worker who's now spokesperson for one of our Catholic high schools, and a friend who's a law clerk on our Court of Appeals. One thing I did with each of them was give a copy of the school's mission, which they then used in writing the letters to demonstrate their take on how I fit with the mission. I think that in addition to my own statement helped in my admission to school and I know it played a role in a scholarship I got. Depending on the school you go to, this might be a good thing for you to do.

[the_rev]

They said they require no recommendations but they can only help your cause.

[Sojourner]

Then two would be appropriate.

[Birgitta Noel]

Ed, you definitely should get one from a teacher who knows your work well. That will balance them out.

[Thumper]

[quote name='The Little Way' post='1026151' date='Jul 17 2006, 01:32 PM']
Ed, you definitely should get one from a teacher who knows your work well. That will balance them out.
[/quote]

I agree that a teacher, or another adult who has worked very closely with you should write the second letter. Letters from the folks with big titles are cool, but it is important that the recommendation not sound generic. If a politian said, "Ed is a fine young man who has been a devoted volunteer," I would think OK, that's good. But if the politician, or someone else, can speak more specificially about your gifts and talents, or relate an impressive anecdote about you, I believe that will serve you better.

Good luck!

[IcePrincessKRS]

I agree, a teacher or someone along those lines would be best for a second letter. I believe I needed 3, but if they don't require any then more than 2 might be overkill.