F
July 31, 2016
Congratulations! You are beginning to look for the next step in your education. I know many of you still might not be sure what you want to do or exactly where you want to study, but there are crucial things you must do in order to keep doors open and make it possible. I am here to help as much as possible, but I do have some limitations and need you to read this and follow these steps in order to make this productive for both you and me.
Unfortunately, due to some of the changes in forms and portals, I have to limit the number of letters I can write this year to TEN. In addition, you must be a current student of mine. It is important you understand that it is not just about writing a letter. Each system we use has additional questions and categories in which we must evaluate and rate your potential. In the past we primarily used Common App with the occasional additional request from MIT. Last year UC Berkeley developed its own portal, and this year we also have to work with Naviance. Therefore, it is quite probable that one student may need me to respond to three different portals depending on which schools they wish to pursue.
In order to be on my list of ten, the following steps must be completed:
1. Ask me – in person or in writing. Please do not just send a request from Naviance or the Common App portal and assume that is a request. However, once you have asked me, it just means you are on my radar. The following will need to be completed before Friday, September 30 or before 10 others have completed them.
2. Complete and send any necessary portal links to me. There are things you will need to fill out in these portals in order to create an account and allow me to access them. My email is and you may use that as my contact information.
3. Provide the following information for me. It needs to be typed so that it is legible. This information gives me the knowledge to create as accurate a picture as possible for these universities about the kind of individual you are and the student you will be. In the past counseling had a resume packet you could fill out. I believe some of this may now be on Naviance, but I will not have time to flip back and forth. I need this in a packet in order to more efficiently write your letter.
a. Provide a copy of your transcript – I need to know what classes you have had and
your GPA.
b. List extra-curricular activities – This includes both at school and in the
community. Please include details. Just listing the name of a club or event without
referencing its purpose or what it does can be confusing. Please also include if you
were an officer or in some sort of leadership position.
c. List any organized sports - This includes both on and off campus.
d. List any academic or personal awards you may have received - This also includes AP scores.
e. Tell me what it is you hope to study and why – This is just a simple paragraph explaining to me where you see yourself going with a degree.
f. Write five adjectives you would use to describe yourself.
Once you have completed the above three items and have handed me your information, your name will be officially added to the list of ten. Again, I cannot stress enough that I can only take ten. Consequently, if ten other students complete this first, I will not be able to accept yours, even if you were the first to ask. In addition, I can accept no additional requests after September 30. This work is done completely on my personal time and most are due November 30*. I have to allot adequate time to complete each and every one, giving you the best possible letter. I realize some aren’t due until January 1, but with the end of the semester and the holidays, I have no time in December to write letters.
Thank you for your understanding of this.
Melinda Wilson
* If you have a school that has a due date prior to October 31, you must have everything to me FOUR WEEKS prior to the due date.