b'34Request Your TranscriptOnce your recommendations have been submitted, Your high school transcript is a compilation of all ofcheck your college portals to make sure they haveyour courses and grades. Be sure to request that yourbeen received. Then, write a thank you note totranscript is sent to every school to which you areeach person who wrote a recommendation for you.applying. Check your portal at each of these schoolsAlso, remember to let these people know whento make sure it was received. Some colleges will askyou receive your acceptances.to see your first semester senior year grades as part of their decision process. Sending your transcriptsSchedule an Interviewcan be arranged with your school counselor.Many liberal arts colleges and some universities Ask for Letters of Recommendationallow you to interview with admissions staff. This is Most colleges require letters of recommendationa chance to make yourself stand out by talking about from your school counselor and at least one teacher.your experiences and interests and why you wantYour school counselor will write about your overallto attend their school. Follow these tips to makeperformance and achievement in high school, andthe most of each college interview:your teacher will talk about the type of student you Research the college in advance and be readyare in the classroom. Many colleges will allow you toto talk about why it is a good fit for you.submit additional recommendations from individualsBe prepared to answer questions about yourwho know you from the community, such as ahigh school and extracurricular activities, why thesupervisor, coach, community group leader (scoutcollege interests you, and what you can contributeleader, etc.), or spiritual leader. These are calledas a student.supplemental recommendations. Your interviewer will likely finish by asking if youhave any questions. Prepare three to five thoughtful Tips for Obtaining Recommendations questions in advance, but be ready to think on your Request recommendations early, at least one month feet if those questions have already been answered.before they are due. If possible, conduct a mock interview with anRequest positive recommendations from teachersadult on your college prep team before yourfrom academic classesEnglish, math, science,actual interview.foreign language, social studiesyou took your Dress in business casual or business attire forjunior or senior year. Teachers who know you the interview.well can write the most effective recommendations. Promptly send a thank you note to your interviewer.Recommendations should align with your intended If he or she is your admissions officer, stay in touch major. For example, if you think you will major with additional questions and updates about yourin engineering, ask your AP Calculus teacher accomplishments. Use this opportunity to formfor a recommendation. a relationship.If you have a special interest, such as photography, art,Find more tips at https://bigfuture.collegeboard.drama, or music, consider asking that teacher for aorg/plan-for-college/your-college-application/ supplemental recommendation. Submit no more thanprepare-for-interviews .two supplemental recommendations. Never submita recommendation from a family member or friend. Virtual Interviews To ensure that your recommenders know enoughYour college interview may be virtual, conducted over about you to write a robust recommendation, providevideo conferencing software such as Zoom. To prepare:each person with a copy of the resum you created Install and test the software in advance.using the tips on pp. 12-13. Talk with them about Make sure your Wi-Fi is secure.your strengths, any challenges you have encounteredPractice beforehand with a friend or family member.or overcome, and why you want to attend each college.Find a quiet space with good lighting andno distractions.'