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College Recommendation Request

Before Requesting a Recommendation

  • Ask the recommender directly if they are willing to write a letter.
  • Review each college's application requirements to determine whether outside recommendations are accepted and how they should be submitted.
  • Provide your recommender with any information they may need, such as your resume, activities, accomplishments, or deadlines.

Tip: Give recommenders at least 2-3 weeks' notice whenever possible and provide all required information before the college application deadline.

Requesting Recommendations for College Applications

  • For school-based PWCS recommendations, students must formally request teacher recommendations through Naviance Student. It is recommended that you speak with your teacher in person, but a request must also be submitted through Naviance Student:
    1. In Naviance Student, select the Colleges tab and then select Teacher Recommendations.
    2. Identify the type of recommendation request. If your teacher is not listed in the drop-down, please have your teacher notify your school counselor.
  • Complete the FERPA (consent form) embedded in the Annual Back to School Packet. The consent form gives the school and PWCS permission to send your transcript and recommendations to colleges and for scholarships, per the student's request. View the Student Transcript Requests webpage for more information.

If applying via the Common App, match your account in Naviance and complete the Education section in the Common App and FERPA recommendation section in the Common App.

  • How to match your Common App in Naviance:

    1. Log in to your account at the Common App Login page.
    2. Go to the College Search tab and add at least one college to your list. (You must add a school before the FERPA section appears).
    3. Go to the Common App tab and complete the Education section.
    4. Go to the My Colleges tab and click on any college in your list.
    5. Click on Recommenders and FERPA in the left menu.
    6. Click Complete Release Authorization.
    7. Read the instructions and check the box to acknowledge your understanding.
    8. Choose whether to waive or not waive your right to view your recommendations. (Waiving your right is strongly recommended so colleges know the evaluations are honest and confidential).
    9. Type your name in the signature box, enter the date, and click Save and Close.

Requesting Outside Recommendations for College Applications

Students may choose to request a recommendation from a coach, mentor, employer, community leader, or another trusted adult outside of school. Students are responsible for requesting, monitoring, and managing all recommendations from individuals outside of their high school.

For Common App Colleges

Request and manage outside recommendations directly through the Common App. Follow the instructions provided within your Common App account to invite and track outside recommenders.

For Non-Common App Colleges

  1. Log in to Naviance and go to "Colleges I'm Applying To."
  2. Under Letter of Recommendation Types, select "Other Recommender."
  3. Naviance will send instructions to the outside recommender.
  4. The recommender submits the letter directly to the college.
  5. Monitor the recommendation status in Naviance.