Colleges require different materials, often including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and forms your counselor fills out in Naviance. Not all colleges require a counselor LOR.

Check application requirements at each college where you’re applying. Most Common App schools require a counselor and/or teacher LOR. The counselor InformedK12 form is ONLY required if you need a letter from your counselor.

Reminder that all staff members are mandated reporters. If you disclose abuse, self-harm, or harm to others, that information can not be kept confidential.

<aside> đź’ˇ Below are the questions that will be asked on the counselor LOR request, if you want to start drafting in a Google doc before pasting into the form.

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STUDENT:

Please provide a paragraph for each question below, up to 150 words per question. This helps your counselor get to know you better and provides important details that may be included in your letter.

  1. How would you describe yourself if you were writing a story with yourself as the main character? You can mention characteristics, personal values, strengths and areas for growth, goals, dreams, etc.

  2. What is your primary academic interest and/or intended major, and why?

  3. What are your non-academic interests? Anything that gets you excited to spend time on?

  4. In what ways have you grown and changed since 9th grade?

  5. Tell me about a challenge, failure, or setback that you’ve had in high school. How did you overcome it, and what did you learn about yourself?

  6. Describe your most significant extracurricular activity on campus or in the community. Please write about the following: Why is it important to you? How has this experience shaped you? Are you a leader in this role? Did you learn something new?

  7. Please share any circumstances that have affected your educational experience and/or life that you are comfortable with your counselor sharing in your letter of recommendation.

    Consider any of the following: Family circumstances or other obligations that prevent(ed) you from being more involved in extracurricular activities: being a 1st-Generation college student, medical condition(s), other?

PARENT INSIGHTS (Optional but Recommended):

Please provide a paragraph for each question below, up to 150 words per question. This helps your student’s counselor gain insight and provides important details that may be included in the letter.

  1. What do you consider to be your student’s most outstanding accomplishment over the past three years? Why did you select this as the most important?
  2. In what area has your student shown the most growth throughout high school?