Summary:
A counselor recommendation is a required part of most U.S. college applications, written by a school counselor or academic advisor. It provides colleges with context about a student’s achievements, personality, and contributions within their school community, and helps admissions officers understand the student’s academic environment.
Most high schools in the U.S. have a standard form they submit their counselor recommendations on, which also provides information about the school, its academic offerings, and its environment (the school profile).
What Is a Counselor Recommendation?
In the U.S. college admissions process, a counselor recommendation is a letter written by a high school guidance counselor, academic advisor, or designated school official. Unlike teacher recommendations, which focus on performance in a specific subject, the counselor recommendation offers a broader, schoolwide perspective. It gives admissions officers insight into the student’s academic growth, character, leadership, and role within the school community.
This recommendation is required by most selective U.S. colleges and is submitted through application platforms like the Common App, Coalition App, or directly to the school.
What Does the Counselor Include?
The counselor recommendation typically includes:
- An overview of the student’s academic history and performance
- Comments on the student’s maturity, character, leadership, and personal qualities
- Context about the school—such as grading policies, curriculum rigor, and any obstacles the student may have faced
- Explanation of any unique circumstances, such as family challenges, language barriers, or health issues
- Confirmation of how the student compares to others in the same class or school
In addition to the letter, counselors usually complete a School Report Form, which provides important data like class rank, GPA scale, and whether the school offers AP or IB courses.
Why Is It Important?
The counselor recommendation gives colleges a bigger picture of the student than transcripts and test scores alone can provide. It helps admissions officers understand the student’s achievements within context—how they performed compared to their peers, what resources were available, and how they contributed to their school.
For international students, the counselor recommendation is especially useful in explaining how the local school system differs from the U.S. system. It can clarify how rigorous a student’s course load is or explain grading systems that are unfamiliar to American readers.
Challenges for International and Private School Students
In some schools, especially in China or other countries outside the U.S., there may not be a dedicated college counselor. In these cases, students may ask a homeroom teacher, headmaster, or administrator to act as their counselor for the purpose of college applications.
Counselors unfamiliar with U.S. admissions may need guidance on how to write a strong letter. Students should provide their counselor with helpful materials such as:
- A brag sheet summarizing achievements and goals
- A resume or list of extracurricular activities
- A copy of the personal statement or college essay
- A brief explanation of why the student is applying to U.S. colleges
It is considered inappropriate for students or parents to write the recommendation themselves, although it is acceptable to share background information for the counselor to use.
How It’s Submitted
Most U.S. colleges require the counselor recommendation to be submitted electronically, along with the school report and transcript. Platforms like the Common App provide a secure system where counselors can upload the letter, complete forms, and monitor submission status.
Colleges generally prefer letters written in English, but some schools may allow certified translations if necessary.