A Thank You Upon Graduation

High school graduations across the Kansas City metro are scheduled over the course of the next few weeks. Graduating seniors have sent out their graduation announcements, made lists of what they plan to buy with their graduation gift money, have made final decisions on where they will attend college in the fall, and are ready to be the little fish in a big pond again.

Most graduates have exchanged the stress and struggle of the college application process with the joys of entering the collegiate phase of their young lives, much like a mother does after enduring the pains of childbirth. Although the National Candidate's Reply Deadline (May 1) has passed and most seniors are already considering themselves college students, one last task from their college search may remain: thank you notes for letters of recommendation.

College applicants are known to log hours upon hours perfecting the essay they will submit with applications for admission and scholarship. And almost as often, the teachers those students ask to write letters of recommendation on their behalf spend an equal amount of time crafting letters that will enhance the student's application for admission and show the review committee the merits of the applicant from a teacher's perspective, both inside and outside of the classroom.

All too often, those teachers go unthanked for providing this service for their students. Writing letters of recommendation falls into that pervasive "other duties as assigned" category. Teachers have taken time, outside of their school responsibilities, to write these letters, often well after their classrooms have emptied or even while at home after putting their own children to bed. 

Although teachers are not in their chosen profession for the recognition, it is important to honor how often they go above and beyond what is required in order to assist and support their students. 

This thank you does not need to be an extensive letter like the one written for each student's application, but rather, just a heartfelt message on stationary or on a note card. No gift other than words need be included.

At a time when faculty are just as, or even more, exhausted than the graduating seniors, such a simple gesture of thanks is often all a teacher needs to be reminded why they come to work each day and to be rejuvenated for another year of creating positive impact on the minds, hearts, and lives of students as they prepare for their own future careers.

Seeking Top Notch Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation are either required or requested from most college/universities as part of the admission and/or scholarship application.

While letters are only one part of a complete application and typically will not make or break an admission decision, they still are important in educating the admission staff about the kind of student you are and the qualities of academic integrity and community involvement you will bring to the college campus.

Here are some tips regarding letters of recommendation:

• Establishing a solid relationship with teachers must begin freshman year.
• Be aware of your actions at all times.
• Typically, letters must be from a teacher from junior or senior year who teaches a core subject.
• You may submit one extra letter from an additional adult (mentor, coach, pastor).
• Status of the writer is of no importance, what the letter says impacts admission decision.
• Letters should correspond with, not emulate, other aspects presented in the admission application.
• Think outside the box; a letter from a teacher in a subject that is easy for you is expected.

Questions to consider when selecting a faculty member to write on your behalf:

• What do you know about this teacher outside of the classroom?
• What does this teacher know about you besides your coursework in his/her class?
• What would this teacher be surprised to learn about you?
• What is your favorite thing about this teacher and his/her class?
• What is the most important thing you have learned from this teacher?
• What would you say to a younger student about this teacher and his/her class?

Once you know the teacher has mailed your letters of recommendation, make sure to send them a thank you note. Teachers often spend as much time writing a letter of recommendation as you will spend writing your college admission essay!