Michelle Rasich

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp Thank you for joining us today. Keep asking questions about how we can innovate and improve. Stay well and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp @gtadmission Thank you for inviting me to participate today! Wishing everyone the best!

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp Would it help colleges if counselors included details about caseload size, being pulled in umpteen directions, limited time, and as a result of all of these duties, maybe not knowing the student well? Should counselors/teachers include this information in their letters?

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@gtadmission @CommonApp Counselors love when colleges give us *permission* to do things differently or the best that we can.

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A5 (2 of 2): See additional writing prompts in the Teacher LOR Guide in this resource folder. PS: these prompts are great for counselors too. https://t.co/HBEKBvjx7H #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A5 (1 of 2): Collaborate! Ask students and parents to complete questionnaires. Ask colleagues, teachers, coaches, advisors to provide content. Give them a specific prompt to answer: Student impressed me when..Sample questionnaires in this resource folder. https://t.co/HBEKBvjx7H

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@gtadmission @CommonApp Covering more ground, in less time, w/o staff increases!

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A4: Don’t be shy. Ask college reps for ideas, feedback, and suggestions. See some feedback from 10 college reps that I asked in 2016. PS: the feedback continues to be enthusiastically supportive to this day. https://t.co/HBEKBvjx7H #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@gtadmission @CommonApp And, collaborate!!!

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@FWoodCounselors @CommonApp So many counselors were at surge capacity....and then COVID hit!

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A3 (5 of 5): Additional Headers to Consider (shout out to @BarnardBrennan ): Contributions to Classroom Culture. Examples and Highlights of Outstanding Work. Additional Evidence of Character, Leadership, Values, and/or Motivation. #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A3 (4 of 4): Teacher LOR Headers: Student’s Experience with the Curriculum. Academic Growth and Trends. Personal Qualities. Recommendation. See samples: https://t.co/HBEKBvjx7H #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A3 (2 of 4): Choose Headers for the Student You are Writing For. Intellectual Growth & Academic Awards. Significant COVID-19 Impacts.Peer Recommendation.Discipline Disclosure. Headers For Service Academies: Leadership. Loyalty. Service #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A3 (1 of 4): After collaborating with admissions colleagues, I created some standard LOR section headers: Distinctive Qualities. Academic Growth and Trends. Areas of Significant Impact. Readiness for College & Recommendation. Resources: https://t.co/HBEKBvjx7H #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A2: I've asked admissions colleagues and have heard them share on webinars that the LOR will take on greater significance this year, in part due to the lack of access to testing and to learn about COVID impacts on students, their courses, learning, and/or family.

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A2: The LOR is the place to describe significant impacts, academic and/or personal, that COVID has had on a student and/or their family. Use a section header: Significant COVID-19 Impacts #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp A1: The LOR is the opportunity to tell various stories on behalf of the student. Describe character traits. Highlight academic trends and growth. Explain academic anomalies. Describe areas of significant impact or contribution. #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

@CommonApp Hello! I am the Dir. of College Counseling @RowlandHall in SLC, Utah. I’ve been a college counselor for 20 years. About 6 years ago, inspiration and desperation led to innovation in how I write LORs. Happy to share what I’ve learned and samples with you today. #LORchat #scchat

[Michelle Rasich @MichelleRasich]

Join us in 7 minutes!

[Georgia Tech Admission @gtadmission]

Going live in 15 min with @CommonApp to discuss best
practices for writing letters of recommendation on behalf of students. Join us! #LORchat