📬3️⃣ Rec Letters 103: FAQs · The Ivy Wizard Circle (Free)

📬3️⃣ Rec Letters 103: FAQs

Still have questions about recommendation letters? This post covers common situations—especially for international students or those in non-U.S. systems—so you can manage any recommendation scenario. 👇

💭 "I don’t have an official school counselor—what do I do?"

If your school doesn’t assign counselors the way U.S. schools do, don’t worry! You can usually choose another school official—like your principal, head of academics, or homeroom teacher—who knows your background and achievements well. They’ll submit what’s called a “Counselor Recommendation” or “School Report.”

✅ Tip: Choose someone who can comment on your overall academic journey, character, and growth—not just one subject.

💬 “My teachers only taught me for one year—can they still write?”

Yes! This is very common—even for U.S. students. Make sure to ask teachers who taught you in 11th grade. The quality of your relationship matters most—if a teacher has seen your growth, effort, or impact—even in one year—they can write a strong, personal letter. Especially if:

You engaged deeply in class
You showed improvement or initiative
You’ve stayed in touch after the course

🌍 “Can my teacher write in a language other than English?”

Yes—especially if they’re more comfortable expressing nuance in their native language. But, the letter must be accompanied by an official English translation—ideally signed or stamped by the school or a certified translator. This preserves the strength of the letter while ensuring it's readable by admissions officers.

🗂️ “How are the letters submitted?”

For the Common App (and similar platforms):

You enter your recommender's email in the application platform.
They receive a secure link to upload the letter directly.
You won’t see the letter (unless you opt not to waive your rights—but waiving is strongly recommended).

📌 If your teacher or school hasn’t used the system before, it’s totally fine—there are simple guides available for them, and many international students help walk their teachers through it.

📝 “Do I upload the letter myself?”

No. You cannot upload teacher or counselor recommendations yourself. They must be sent by the recommender via the platform (Common App, Coalition, UCAS, etc).

🔄 “Can I send the same letter to all schools?”

Yes—when submitted through Common App, the letter goes to every school on your list. Teachers should keep it general and not mention a specific university by name.

📅 “What if they miss the deadline?”

Try to avoid this by:

Asking early (April–May of Grade 11!)
Sending a gentle reminder in the weeks before submission
Following up if it’s not uploaded 1–2 days before the deadline (you can track whether the letter has been uploaded or not in the application platform)

💡 Most schools allow a slight grace period (few days), but don’t count on it. Plan ahead!

🙋‍♀️ Still unsure who to ask, or how to handle a specific situation? Write your question in the comments and I’ll help out!

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