Letter of Recommendation Requests for EHS Teachers - DUE THIS WEEK!
FIRST - PLEASE UPDATE SCOIR and click on each school to which you're applying, so that you can have an accurate idea of whether/how many letters you may need. Some don't REQUIRE letters, others don't ALLOW them. Plan accordingly!
SECOND - Fill out a LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORM for each teacher you plan to ask.
THIRD - EMAIL YOUR TEACHER to set up a time to meet - please be respectful of their busy schedules and again, PLAN AHEAD so that you are not all bombarding them on the final day to request!
FOURTH - MEET WITH THEM with your completed form in hand, reference some of the information you shared on the form, and formally, in-person, ask for a letter of recommendation
FIFTH - Log into SCOIR to request them as recommenders, so they can upload their letters directly to SCOIR, to be sent along with your completed applications - following the screenshots below.
Staying on Pace...
Speaking of ADDITIONAL ESSAYS - this is the week to make sure you have captured any other requirements a school may have in their applications. CLICK THROUGH YOUR ENTIRE APPLICATION to find these additional requirements... Common App can be tricky in that some schools have an additional "Supplemental Writing" section, while other schools have essay prompts hidden within other sections. My suggestion is to have one Google Doc where you have copied and pasted any prompts that need to be addressed - you may find yourself reusing the same sentences or essays for multiple schools!
Lastly, this is the week to be completing your ACTIVITIES section of your applications, too. You'll have to explain the significance of each activity as well as your role within that activity, and there is some strategy to doing so.
Here are some resources to help you fine-tune your personal statement, get started on additional essays, and make your activities section *pack a punch*
Sample "Why Us" Essay - Duke. Sample "Why Us" Essay - Michigan
Scholarships - Updated Link to Google Sheets
You may notice that there are only 10-15 scholarships listed now, but about 50-60 "hidden" as either the application window has not opened, or the organization has not updated their information for the 22-23 school year. The highest traffic regarding scholarships is typically between January-March, but get in the habit of checking this sheet on a weekly/bi-weekly basis to be sure you are aware of any opportunities to get $$$ for college!
Upcoming Scholarship App Deadlines:
AES Engineering Scholarships - October 8
Heisman Student Athlete High School Scholarship - October 18
VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Contest - October 31
Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendar & Plan Ahead!
- Regardless of what your financial situation may be, this will be a very informative evening to be sure you are aware of any resources/opportunities to help pay for college!
Tuesday, October 4 - EDDIE'S HOUR - Mandatory Senior Class Meeting; EHS Performing Arts Center
- BRING YOUR CHROMEBOOKS - we will be doing a LOT of double/triple checking the required "clicks" to make sure your applications are complete!!!
Wednesday October 5 and Thursday October 6 - Parent Teacher STUDENT Conferences
- Your senior grades matter and many colleges will ask for your Semester 1 grades when they're available; take this opportunity to check in with your teachers to be sure you are on the right track to get the best grades possible this semester.
Wednesday, October 5 - 7pm - Boston College Info Session; EHS Performing Arts Center
Thursday October 6 - NO SCHOOL - COLLEGE APP WORK DAY @ EHS, 9-12pm
- Dress comfy, sleep in (a little) and come in to the building to crank through your college applications. You would be surprised at how much you can get done, and how much stress you will save yourself, if you just sacrifice a few hours to chip away at your apps!!! (Location TBD!)
Friday, October 7 - NO SCHOOL.... great opportunity to attend a college visit!!!
