• LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: If you plan to apply to any private schools and/or out-of-state public institutions, YOU need to check their requirements and deadlines carefully. Many private schools will require teacher and counselor recommendations, which you must request at least 20 school days (one month) before your first recommendation is due.  It is very important to check deadlines and plan your application timeline in advance. 

    • For those applying to private and/or out of state public universities requiring recommendation letters, you will find my counselor’s Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire on the right side of this page. Please adhere to the same timeline (20 school days) when submitting it to me.

    • If you have any paper applications (a rarity these days) requiring a counselor recommendation and/or transcript, you will need to contact your counselor directly.  Be sure to include the official recommendation form if the college requires one.  This will likely be called the “Secondary School Report” or “Counselor Report” Form.  

     

    TRANSCRIPT REQUEST: You will only need to request a transcript if you are applying to colleges not using the Common Application, UC, or CSU application systems. To request an OFFICIAL transcript email dfernandez@tamdistrict.org. For an UNOFFICIAL transcript, you can view your grade history as well as see/print an unofficial transcript through your StudentVue account, click on Course History and at the top of the page you'll see a button for Unofficial Transcript.

     

    PLEASE NOTE -  Redwood does not send official test scores.  If you have scores that you’d like to have considered as part of your application, you must request your scores at www.collegeboard.com (SAT) and/or www.actstudent.org (ACT).

     

    We understand this process can be stressful.  The best ways to minimize that stress is to plan in advance, avoid procrastination and ask for help if needed.  Your school counselor, and Ms. Bjursten bbjursten@tamdistrict.org, our College and Career Center Specialist, are here to help!  

  • LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION TIPS

    Ask your counselor and teachers for recommendations well in advance of deadlines; one month is a realistic period. Teachers and counselors devote considerable time to writing these letters. Choose teachers who know you well and who will write the most positive recommendation.

    • Give a copy of your student profile or resumé to those who will be writing recommendations for you.
    • If you are asking a person to write more than one recommendation, try to organize all the requests at one time even if the deadlines differ.
    • Be sure to fill out the student part of the recommendation request form.
    • Complete the FERPA section of the Common Application. We recommend all students waive their rights in this section.
    • Most teachers and counselors prefer to submit their recommendations online. If paper forms are required, provide stamped envelopes addressed to each college’s office of admission.
    • About one week before the recommendation is due, drop by to see the teacher or leave a note in his or her mailbox to ask if you could provide further information. This courteous inquiry acts as a gentle reminder of the deadline.
    • It takes considerable time to write a recommendation. The person who writes it has taken a special interest in you and the success of your application. When you hear from colleges, be sure to tell the teachers and counselors where you were accepted and which school you will attend.
    • Keep records of everything.
    • Write thank-you notes to teachers, counselors and others who helped you.

  • APPLICATION TIPS:

    For those applying to private and/or out of state public universities requiring recommendation letters, you will find your counselor’s Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire on the righthand side of this page. Please adhere to the same timeline (20 school days) when submitting it to your counselor.

    If you have any paper applications (a rarity these days) requiring a counselor recommendation and/or transcript, you will need to contact your counselor directly.  Be sure to include the official recommendation form if the college requires one.  This will likely be called the “Secondary School Report” or “Counselor Report” Form.

    The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) have online applications.

    • You will input all of your UC/CSU A-G classes and grades using your transcript (Please Note, there are a few classes including PE, Social Issues, and a few others that are not UC approved and you will not put on your UC/CSU applications). 
    • The UC’s do not require a transcript at the time of application, but some CSU campuses may request one be sent.  It is your responsibility to check each college to which you apply to verify their policy. 
    • The UC’s and CSU’s do not accept teacher or counselor recommendations. 
    • You can find your CASSID (State ID) on your transcript under your name.