507: What Colleges Want (Part 7A): Recommendation Letter Crash Course for Students and Families

In this episode of the "What Colleges Want" podcast, Tom Campbell interviews Ayesha King about letters of recommendation, also referred to as letters of advocacy. They discuss the importance of these letters in the college admission process, referencing the State of College Admission Report by NACAC. Ayesha explains that while letters of recommendation rarely make or break an application, they provide valuable context and advocacy for the student, especially in cases of unique circumstances or unconventional curricula. The discussion covers the number and type of recommendation letters colleges typically require, the distinction between counselor and teacher recommendations, and advice for students on how to approach teachers and counselors for letters. Ayesha emphasizes the importance of students actively participating in the process by providing detailed information through questionnaires and being thoughtful about their application as a whole.