Creating a Brag Sheet for a Letter of Recommendation

I've been told to create a brag sheet for my teacher who's going to write me a letter of recommendation. Can anyone share examples or tips on how to make a compelling brag sheet that'll help them write a great letter?

5 months ago

A brag sheet is an essential tool for helping your teacher write a more detailed and personalized letter of recommendation. Here are some tips and sections to consider when creating your brag sheet:

1. Personal Information: Start with your full name, high school, graduation year, and intended major or field of interest. While they'll already know most of this information, starting off with some general context can lay a good foundation for the rest of the letter.

2. Academic Accomplishments: List any academic achievements or awards you've received during high school, such as honor rolls, AP/IB exam scores, or recognition for outstanding projects or group work. Mention your younger years if you've had a long-term connection with the teacher, especially if they've seen your growth over time.

3. Extracurricular Activities: Share your involvement in clubs, sports, or community service. Include any leadership positions, initiatives you've started or organized, or noteworthy achievements.

4. Work and Volunteer Experience: If you've held part-time jobs or internships, detail your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Similarly, share your volunteer experiences and the impact you've made in these roles.

5. Personal Anecdotes: Since your teacher will be focusing on your character, include 1-3 specific events or interactions you've had with them that showcase your best qualities. For example, if you overcame a challenge in their class or demonstrated exceptional teamwork on a group project, highlight these moments.

6. Strengths and Skills: List your key strengths, soft skills, and any technical skills you have acquired, so that your teacher can understand your capabilities and aptitudes.

7. Future Goals: Briefly mention your career goals, college aspirations, or any specific fields of study you are considering. You want your teacher to be able to cater their letter to highlight your traits that are most relevant to the fields you are pursuing.

8. Thank You and Contact Information: End with a heartfelt thank you for their time and effort, and provide your contact information in case they have additional questions or need clarification.

Remember to keep your brag sheet concise and well-organized, for example by using bullet points or headings for easy navigation. Lastly, be sure to provide your brag sheet well in advance of the deadline, and offer your support should they need assistance or additional information during the recommendation-writing process. Good luck!

5 months ago

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