Confirm recommender portal access

Overview

Confirm that all your recommenders (counselor and teachers) have access to Common App or the appropriate portal for submitting letters. Do this in September, before any deadlines.

Why This Matters

Recommendations submit through portals, not the student directly. If the recommender doesn't have access, the letter cannot reach the school. Deadlines can be missed.

Recommender Types

Counselor

• Every school requires one counselor letter
• Usually via your high school's Common App setup
• Counselor uses Naviance, SchooLinks, or direct Common App

Teacher Letters

• Typically 2 teachers
• Via Common App directly
• Must be registered as your recommender

Supplementary

• Sometimes additional recommenders (pastor, coach, employer)
• Optional at most schools
• Check specific school requirements

How to Verify Access

Login to Common App

1. Log in at commonapp.org
2. Go to "Recommenders and FERPA"
3. Check each invitee's status

Status Types

• Invited (pending acceptance)
• Accepted (active recommender)
• Submitted (letter received)
• Declined (rejected invitation)

Steps If Not Active

If Counselor Not Showing

1. Contact school registrar or counselor office
2. Request they claim your account
3. Provide Common App ID number
4. Follow up if not resolved

If Teacher Not Accepted

1. Email teacher asking to confirm
2. Resend invitation
3. Check email spam folder
4. Follow up by phone if needed

Inviting Recommenders Correctly

For Teachers

Login to Common App → Recommenders → Add teacher:

• Enter their name, email
• Select subject (English, math, etc.)
• Add FERPA waiver choice
• Send invitation

For Counselor

• Often pre-populated based on school
• May not need to invite
• Double-check invitation

For Other

• Follow specific guidelines
• School-specific recommenders
• Not always via Common App

Common Problems

Teacher Email Wrong

• Verify email is correct
• Some teachers have multiple emails
• Update and resend

Teacher Hasn't Responded

• 7-10 days is normal
• Send reminder
• Try different email if available

School System Issues

• Contact school IT
• Counselor office can help
• Patience in processes

Multiple Email Accounts

• Teachers may use work email
• Verify preferred address
• Don't overwhelm

Preparing Your Recommenders

Information Packet

Provide:

• Your resume
• College list with deadlines
• Transcript copy
• Your essay topics (optional)
• Specific course interactions (optional)

Timeline

• Give at least 3-4 weeks notice
• Allow for drafting and revision
• Don't wait until last minute

Follow-Up

• Thank recommender in person
• Bring treat to school
• Handwritten note
• Email appreciation

FERPA Waiver

Recommendation to Waive

Most counselors recommend waiving your right to read letters:

• Signals trust in recommender
• Lets teacher write more candidly
• Increases weight of letter

To Waive

• On Common App
• Cannot be undone after submission
• Applies to all your applications

Not Waiving

• Reduces letter weight somewhat
• Teacher may write less candidly
• Not recommended

School-Specific Requirements

Number of Recommendations

• Most require 1-3
• Common App allows up to 2-3 typically
• Supplements can add more

Specific Recommenders

• Some schools require specific types (teacher in subject)
• Check individual requirements
• Match recommenders to schools

Alternative Recommenders

If no teacher works:

• Employer
• Coach
• Mentor
• Religious leader
• Family friend (if meaningful connection)

Submission Tracking

Portal Check

• Weekly during fall
• Before each deadline
• Monitor status

Email Confirmations

• From Common App
• From school portals
• Keep records

Reminders

• 2 weeks before deadline
• Kindly reminder to teachers
• Not pushy

Before Deadline

Final Verification

• All invited
• All accepted
• All submitted or in progress
• No missing elements

Confirm Submission

• After deadline, verify in portal
• Contact school if missing
• Escalate if serious delay

After Submission

Thank You

• Handwritten notes
• Small gift if appropriate
• In-person appreciation
• Include your application status later

Ongoing Relationship

• Keep in touch
• Update on college
• Reference for future
• Networking connection

Special Situations

Late Recommender Change

• Contact school admissions
• Request substitute
• Provide context
• Usually accommodated

Recommender Unavailable

• Medical emergency
• Family crisis
• Work conflict
• Request new recommender

Bad Recommendation

• Rare but possible
• Contact admissions
• Request reconsideration
• Move on

Common Mistakes

• Not verifying access early
• Assuming teacher responded
• Rushing recommenders
• Not providing materials
• Missing deadline communications

Professional Tips

• Build relationships during high school
• Don't rely on one teacher
• Diversify recommenders (if possible)
• Show gratitude throughout

Long-Term Value

• These relationships endure
• Networking opportunities
• Mentorship continues
• Future recommendations available