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Finding the perfect referenceFeb 15 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Let me assume this is the scenario. This is your last year of high school and you're just itching to get into a competitive school. Next to essays and interviews, references are the most important thing, most valuable tool a student can have in his application portfolio. Now if you're any younger and looking ahead, then I am thoroughly impressed and I believe that you too will benefit from what follows. References are very important. The give the admission officers some insight as to what others think of you. Seldom do students have poor recommendations sent out in their names, so in order to make a good impression, you need to find a reference who will speak very highly of you. So whom should you ask to be a reference? Most students use teachers and I believe that teachers are the best source for references. They know you best in an academic environment and can evaluate your strengths well because they have instructed you. And since you are applying to an academic institution, it is best to have an instructors opinion of you and your capabilities to be applied in college. Since many institutions ask for multiple references, I strongly suggest that at least one, if not all, of them be a teacher (although have a variety of individuals as references is an advantage because it displays your impressions on more than one aspect of the world). Some people use employers or other such acquaintances as references who testify more to one's personality and character. I don't believe that admission officers look into personal character as much (although they certainly consider it) as they would regard academic responsibilities and aptitude. After all, job interviewers like to hear from former employers and I would similarly assume that college officials would like to hear from fellow educators. In choosing a suitable reference, you must find someone with whom there is a mutual admiration and reverence. Certainly, if you don't think too highly of someone, you would certainly not ask them to be a reference. And likewise, if someone doesn't think too highly of you, then he or she would not act as a very good reference. It is often nice to find someone with a nice title like a department head or even an administrator. In most cases, those looking at applications might notice a title to a reference and subconsciously prioritize it. In some cases, if you need your reference to write a recommendation, he or she will allow or even wish you to review the recommendation before sending it out. It is often difficult to read one's own praise (and hopefully it is a praise), but it is certainly an advantage to know what sort of picture an admissions officer will be getting of you.  |
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