The college application process comes with many deadlines, but one of the easiest to overlook is when to ask for recommendation letters and how to use summer opportunities strategically. Many families learn this the hard way—waiting too long can mean rushed letters, missed chances, and extra stress during senior fall.
The good news? A little proactive planning can go a long way. Below is a timeline with actionable steps that will help your student stand out while making the process smoother for everyone.
1. Ask for Recommendations Early
Teachers are flooded with requests once senior year begins, and waiting until the fall often means letters are written in a rush. Strong recommendations come from teachers who have time to reflect on your student’s strengths.
– When to ask: Right after spring break of junior year, or no later than the end of junior year.
– How to ask: Encourage your student to make the request in person, then follow up with a short thank-you email confirming details.
– Pro tip: Some schools even encourage early asks because it allows teachers to plan over the summer.
2. Create a Brag Sheet or Resume
A well-prepared brag sheet makes the recommendation letter process easier for teachers and ensures they can highlight specific details about your student.
– What to include: Coursework, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, volunteer service, part-time jobs, awards, and future goals.
– Action step: Dedicate one evening to drafting this with your student. Parents can review, but the student should write it in their own voice.
– Why it matters: Teachers can pull concrete examples to make the recommendation more compelling.
3. Build a Student LinkedIn Profile
A LinkedIn profile may feel “too adult” for high school, but more and more students are using it to showcase accomplishments and connect with opportunities. It’s essentially a digital version of their brag sheet that can grow with them.
– Why it helps: Colleges, scholarship committees, and internship supervisors can see a professional presentation of your student’s experience.
– What to include: Academic interests, extracurriculars, volunteer work, part-time jobs, leadership roles, and a professional-looking photo.
– Action step: Set up a LinkedIn profile before senior year, then update it every semester. Encourage your student to connect with teachers, coaches, and mentors.
– Pro tip: Many internship or research opportunities now use LinkedIn for outreach, so having a profile makes your student discoverable.
4. Think Beyond Summer Jobs — Internships Count Too
Summer jobs are valuable for responsibility and work ethic, but internships can show commitment to a future interest. Both have a place on a college application.
– Traditional jobs: Lifeguard, camp counselor, babysitting, tutoring, retail, or even unique roles (like one student who worked at a cemetery).
– Internships: If your student has a budding interest in STEM, business, arts, or nonprofit work, encourage them to reach out a year ahead. Even a short internship can help set them apart.
– Action step: Make a list of 5–10 local organizations or businesses your student could contact. Draft a short inquiry email together.
5. Partner with Counselors Early
School counselors often know the best timing and process for your specific school, but they aren’t always able to reach every student directly.
Why it helps: Counselors may know teacher preferences, deadlines, and limits on how many letters a teacher can write.
Action step: Schedule a check-in meeting with your student’s counselor by late spring of junior year.
6. Set “College Prep Checkpoints” at Home
One of the biggest challenges parents face is motivating students to start early. Teens often don’t feel the urgency until senior year has already begun.
Action step: Use a family calendar to create clear checkpoints: when to ask for recommendations, when to update the resume, when to start internship searches, and when to finalize the college list.
Bonus tip: Check in lightly every month instead of waiting until deadlines loom—this reduces stress for everyone.
Final Takeaway
College applications are a marathon, not a sprint. By asking for recommendations early, preparing a brag sheet, creating a LinkedIn profile, exploring summer opportunities, and staying in touch with counselors, your student will enter senior year confident and prepared.
Don’t let this be a lesson learned the hard way—start now, and save yourself and your student the stress later.
