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Understanding the
recommendaon process
Did you know?
Each college can choose which types
of other recommenders they accept.
Many colleges ask you to include leers of recommendaon with your applicaon. These leers are
submied by recommenders. A recommender’s input helps clarify and support the informaon you share
in your applicaon. They also help inform colleges about your academic potenal and how you would t in
with their community.
Who are recommenders?
Recommenders are people who have worked with and supported you in your life. They can be individuals
in your school - like counselors and teachers. They can also be people who worked with you in
extracurricular acvies, such as coaches or employers.
There are four recommender types in the Common App: counselors, teachers, other recommenders, and
advisors.
Counselor
Counselors share informaon about you within the context of your enre class and school community.
They submit several dierent forms, including your transcript. The counselor recommendaon leer
provides insights into your academic history. They can also share informaon about achievements,
extracurricular accomplishments, and personal interests.
Teacher
Teachers provide informaon about you in the context of their classroom. They have rsthand knowledge
of your intellectual curiosity, creave thought, and wring quality. They can also contextualize your class
behavior and work habits.
Other Recommender
Other recommenders are individuals you have worked
with outside of school. They can provide context around
your hobbies, passions, and other responsibilies. The
other recommender types available in the Common
App are: Arts Teacher, Clergy, Coach, College Access
Counselor, Employer, Family Member, Peer, or Other.