Developing good relationships with some of your teachers and your high school counselor is an important element in the college admissions process. Admissions people pay a lot of attention to teacher and counselor recommendations because few people know high school students better, including you.

1. The goal of having good relationships with teachers and your counselor is to enhance your overall high school experience. Not only do these people teach and counsel, they may also mentor, open doors for you, offer career advice, and sometimes become good friends.

   • Keep in mind that people who will write the strongest letters of recommendation are those who know and like you the best.
2. Ask your parents to get to know your counselor and teachers. Parents can play a significant role in your having good relationships with school personnel.
3. Colleges usually call on high school counselors if they want specific information about individual students or applications. Therefore, the more information you provide the counselor and the better he/she gets to know you, the better the job the counselor will do for you in the college admissions process.
4. Some high school counselors are very, very good; others are not. More often than not, they are overworked and do the best they can. Regardless of what kind of counselor you have, it is your responsibility to develop a good relationship with him/her.
5. Sometimes it is useful to work with an independent college counselor.

	Freshman Year Freshman year is an opportune time to begin forming good teacher relationships. At the beginning of school, make a point of introducing yourself to teachers, participate in class discussions, do homework and papers on time. When you don’t understand something in class, ask the teacher for help and always be appreciative of whatever he or she does for you. It‘s unlikely that you will have much to talk with your counselor about, but be friendly and help him/her get to know you.
	Sophomore Year During 10th grade, begin talking to your favorite teachers about their thoughts on different colleges. College admissions may seem far off, but hearing about colleges now will pave the way for a good college selection process during your senior year.
	Junior Year Solidify your teacher and counselor relationships during junior year. Decide which teachers you will ask to write recommendations and ask them before the school year ends. Increase your interaction with your counselor and talk with him/her about your college list. Respond quickly to any counselor requests for information about your college plans.
	Senior Year Senior year is when good teacher and counselor relationships really pay off. See Guide 13, Letters of Recommendation for every aspect of asking and getting over-the-top recommendations.
	Parents Parents can play a big role in their relationships with their children’s counselor and teachers. You can start by attending Back-To-School night functions to meet the teachers your child will have for the year. Become a respected, friendly, known quantity at the school. Make sure that all communications between you, the counselor and teachers are polite and constructive. When your child is a senior, do everything you can to help your child provide the counselor and teachers with organized, complete admissions materials.

If you want more information about any of the above, or

Teachers

• How to form a good relationship with teachers
• Specific things your parents can do to help
• A list of characteristics and behaviors teachers look for in students

High School Counselor

• How to develop a good relationship with your high school counselor
• How your parents can help with the high school counselor relationship
• What to do if you don’t like your high school counselor

Independent Admissions Counselors

• What independent college counselors do
• How to choose an independent counselor

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