Letters of Recomendation

Please talk to me IN PERSON about writing a letter for you BEFORE you do what is requested below. 

NOTE:  I will only write letters of recommendation for students who WAIVE their right to read the letter.  This is school policy.  Even if I have agreed to write your letter, I reserve the right to refuse to submit at any time if you do not waive.  

When telling me when the letter is due, please tell me the ACTUAL due date, not an earlier date which will make you feel better that it's in by.  Note that colleges give grace periods to teachers for late letters which will not affect your chance of getting in.  Nonetheless, if you see your letter has not been submitted on the due date, please feel free to email me a gentle reminder on the due date itself.  

COLLEGE RECOMMENDATIONS

STEP 1 (by July 31st)

If you would like a college recommendation, please send me an email to my school email address barbara.fortunato@wwprsd.org with the following information by July 31st:  

1. Your full name

2. Email address that you check

3. Your guidance counselor

I would like for you to write a recommendation for yourself as if you were me (that means to write about yourself in 3rd person). Think about what I know about you and what I would say in a letter about you.  Give specific anecdotes about yourself which I might have observed in the classroom which demonstrate why a college would like to have you as part of their school.  Please do not write about things I could not have observed myself or have not discussed with you in class (e.g. do not write about how you were a leader in your extracurricular activity).   I will write my letter first without looking at yours, and then refer to your letter for things I've forgotten.  Please don't be too humble in your letter - be honest and forthright about your abilities and your strengths. 

Some things to think about as you write your letter:  How were the following qualities demonstrated to me in the classroom?

• Motivation

• Maturity

• Integrity

• Independence

• Originality

• Initiative

• Preparedness

• Leadership

• Ability to learn from mistakes/grow

• Special talents

• Enthusiasm

• Helpfulness

• Engagement/participation

• Interest in the topic

• Willingness to go above-and-beyond

You might also think about the following questions as you're writing your letter, but it is certainly not required that ALL of these be addressed:

1. What words best describe you and WHY?  (What do you most want colleges to know about you?)

2. What was your favorite unit in Physics?  Why?

3. Describe your overall strengths in Physics and in school in general.

4. Describe the single event in Physics that you are most proud of and explain why.

5. What major are you considering for college and why?

6. What distinguishes you from other students this year?  What makes you exceptional?  What do you think makes you stand out compared to all the students I've taught throughout the years?

There is no length requirement, but the more information you give me, the more memories you might jog in my brain.  Three paragraphs is a good guideline.  I will not read your answers to your questions on Naviance, so you don't have to fill those out for me, although you might have to do them for other teachers. 

Again, please email all of the above materials to my school email address barbara.fortunato@wwprsd.org by July 31st.  Please write in the subject of your email your full name and the word "recommendation."  If I do not have your information by this date, I reserve the right to deny your recommendation request.  I will send you a confirmation email that I received your request, so if you don't receive one from me by August 2nd, please try resending. 

Good luck with your recommendation writing, and I hope you're enjoying the summer!

STEP 2 (by September 30th)

IMPORTANT:  I will only send recommendation letters if you waive the right to read the letter.  This is school policy.

To ensure your recommendation letters are submitted on time, please follow the process and schedule below.

Initial Email Notification (due September 30)

By September 30, send me an email detailing:

• Your earliest application deadline (e.g., October 15th, November 1st, January 1st).

• Submission platforms: Clarify whether all your applications are through Naviance or if any require separate/special forms (e.g., MIT, honors colleges, BA/MD programs).

Naviance Requests & Requirements

• 14-Day Advance Notice: Submit all electronic requests in Naviance at least 14 calendar days before your earliest deadline.

• Double-Check Your List: You are responsible for ensuring your requested school list in Naviance is accurate. I will submit recommendations to every school listed in Naviance.

• School Letter Limits: If a university only accepts one recommendation letter, request it from only one teacher. Naviance locks submission after the first letter is uploaded.  (Past students have learned this the hard way; let that not be you!)

Application Deadlines & Request Windows

Rule of Thumb: All requests, electronic or physical, must be received at least 14 days prior to your deadline!  For example:

• October 15th deadlines: Recommendations must be requested by October 1st in Naviance.

• November 1st deadlines: Recommendations must be requested in Naviance by October 16th in Naviance.

• January 1st deadlines: Recommendations must be requested by December 16th in Naviance.

Special Forms & Specific Programs

• Scholarships & Independent Forms: Any program requiring custom recommendation forms or scholarship evaluation sheets must also be submitted to me at least 14 days before the due date. Confirm with me that I have received the request.

• MIT Applicants: Request the letter through Naviance and have the MIT supplemental evaluation form sent to me. I will submit your actual recommendation letter through Naviance and check the designated box on the supplemental form confirming the Naviance upload (see graphic below). This aligns with standard school submission policy.

That’s it!  Best of luck in your admissions process.  Please update me when you get in!  

SUMMER PROGRAM LETTERS

Again, talk to me in person BEFORE you submit my contact info to the program.  

Note that I am not able to send the written letter to you for submission.  I must be able to send it through an official website to the program or to an official email address (*.org, *.edu) of an organizer of the program.  I will not be able to send through a Google Form, to a Gmail address, or other unsecured method.  Reach out if you have questions about this.

You must waive your right to read the letter, and the program must promise that letters will not be released to applicants.

I need to receive your written sample letter by email at least 14 days before the due date of the letter.  See step 1 above for the feedback I am requesting.  If I have previously written a letter for you and can use the same one with only minor modification, at least give me a week's notice or talk to me in person if you have less time than that.

I also must receive the electronic request from the organization at least 14 days before the due date of the letter.