While in New Jersey last week a common question that kept coming up is, “What if my guidance counselor doesn’t know me very well?”
Holy Cross asks for two letters of recommendation; one from a teacher of your choice and one from a guidance counselor.
So what if you guidance counselor doesn’t know you very well? Don’t stress! Make an appointment with your counselor to sit down and talk about you: your classes, interests, what you want out of college, etc. Tell them about you so that they will have something to write about. All you need is a half hour. No big deal! You may want to ask him/her to write you the recommendation in person anyway so if you set up a meeting you can get both tasks done at the same time!
If you’re still worried about the counselor recommendation, get another recommendation from someone else. Two recommendations does not mean you are allowed to send only two. If you have a coach, employer, volunteer supervisor, mentor, etc. have him/her write a recommendation for you as well. Anyone who has another point of view on your abilities or personality may write you a recommendation (parents don’t count, you know they’re biased).
Sending in 5-6 recommendations is OK. Sending in 10-12 maybe not. As long as each additional recommendation tells the Admissions staff something new and different about you it is acceptable. Send it in!
Amanda Juriansz
Assistant Director of Community Outreach
