Though the phrase gets tossed around often, letters of recommendation truly do vary in effect. Whether you’re required to send one out or just looking for a way to boost your application, the way that you go about earning one is quite a long process—and if done incorrectly, could hurt your chances rather than help them.

While grades do make up a large percentage of a person’s probability of acceptance, certain letters may make enough of a difference to push a student above other applicants.

“If they got in, obviously, that’s because of their merit, [and] their hard work. I help them along a little bit with that,” said Tiffany Banh, chemistry and anatomy teacher.

Sometimes, the only difference between approval and a waitlist may just be your character.

 Most public colleges don’t typically require a letter, as most look for a mix of academics and extracurriculars. Take UC Berkley, for example, while not required, the college does encourage the use of one. But, that doesn’t mean their value is depreciated in any sense.

As Integrated Math 1 and 2 teacher Crystal Guevara put it, “If a student has probably, like, your traditional, like, 4.0…it might not carry as much…but if the student has… a C average, then I feel like colleges look at the letters of recommendation a lot more.”

Ultimately, the weight of these recommendations largely changes based on the situation, and at times, they act as the final, defining push into or out of a student’s ideal college. However, in some cases, students choosing to enter private colleges are required to submit one. Even in the case of Cal States, two letters of recommendation are required to qualify for an educational opportunity program (EOP).

Especially among thousands of similar applicants, letters of recommendation have the ability to boost certain individuals above others as a testament to their personality, relationships, and commitment to the school.

“I think what college admissions is probably looking for is just that one little sentence or part where they’re like, ‘okay, this student is unique,’” ASB Advisor Gabriel Nichols said. “[Colleges] want smart students, but they also want students that will represent their school.”

Writing the letter

In order to even begin drafting, staff members look through student-given brag sheets, detailing their achievements, contributions, and clubs.

“It’s hard because there are some brag sheets that are so completely filled with all these extracurriculars that, like, that’s one challenge… how do I fit all these things in?” Banh said. “On the flip side, there’s students who maybe were really focused on their academics.”

Often, many teachers want to write the very best letters they can, and intentionally highlight the best parts of a student to lift them up, just like Banh.

 Despite this, that’s not all they look at, whether you have a 4.0 GPA or not.

“I think that’s a kind of boundary that I set, like…’[do] you have a relationship with me?’” Guevara said. “If you’re a senior…[and] I’ve had you freshman year…do you still keep in touch?”

Much of the letter is created based on the behavior of an individual student, something that goes beyond their academics and further into their personal character: who they are and how they interact with others, including the teacher themselves.

From the very first time they step into the classroom until the day that they leave, students have the choice to create an impression. What kind of person you’re remembered as is up to you.

“[If] you’ve been my student for three years, you’ve sat in the back, completed all your homework, never said a word, never talked to anyone, it’s much harder to create a good letter of recommendation,” Nichols said.

There are no defining values or uniqueness that a student can be attributed to if they don’t take the opportunity to show it. Even if certain staff members are able to recall their time with a certain kid in their class, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll have any outstanding remarks to share.

Despite this, High school counselor Claire Contreras works tirelessly to provide the best letter for each student at MECA, scouring each brag sheet and memory of every individual.

“They want to see how each staff member has interacted with you, and what strengths they see, or maybe areas of growth.” Contreras said.“It’s just an extra little tidbit for colleges to have more insight of who you are as a person.”

While not possessing the same amount of personal connection to most, Contreras brings a well-rounded overview of every student, detailing certain points of individuality and struggle, whether it may be as a first-generation college student or as someone from a low-income household.

With ASB members specifically, Nichols finds that he has a much easier time writing letters, as his interaction with each member is consistent and intentional—whether it’s through the planning of an event or the difference they make for the community.

“These four years here at school, like, you are getting your education.. but [also] building that resume for college,” Nichols said.

Time’s ticking

Unsurprisingly, letters of recommendation take large amounts of time, as “It’s a pretty lengthy process…each individual letter can take anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes more,” said Banh. “You’re tailoring it not only each student, but each individual program.”

With the demands stacking up, many teachers advise seniors to give a notice about two weeks in advance, not only to keep track of the students, but to provide the very best work for them possible.

“Most teachers are willing to work with, like, even a week’s notice. But yeah, the same day or the next day, it’s like, kiddo, I feel for you…but if you’re not organized and prepared, my letter’s not gonna look good,” Contreras said.

Nothing done under a tight deadline the night or even day before will ever be good, and Contreras, like several other members of staff know this. And when wishing nothing but the best for these students, the combination is a difficult ask for even the most experienced of educators.

Still, the staff at MECA consistently pushes to provide their best work for each student and chooses to put in that effort time and time again, with the hope of setting each kid on the right path.

“Deep down, I know… you’re just using us to get to college,” Nichols said. “And I like that. This is where your career is gonna birth from. You should use this as a training ground for what’s next and how you get better from there.”