What Is a Brag Sheet? How to Help Your Teachers Write a Strong College Recommendation Letter
Why a Brag Sheet Matters
Depending on the school, teachers may be writing dozens or even hundreds of letters of recommendation for rising seniors. Some high schools have an internal brag sheet system that requires students to submit brag sheets to their teachers. However, in most schools, students simply ask teachers for letters, and teachers write them based on what they already know. Providing your teacher with a brag sheet gives them additional context and helps them see the well-rounded version of you, not just the version they see in class. Help your teachers support your application with strong letters of recommendation by providing them with a brag sheet.
What Is a Brag Sheet?
Simply put, a brag sheet is a condensed resumé that highlights accomplishments, interests, strengths, and specific characteristics valued by colleges.
The focused nature of a brag sheet is tremendously helpful for teachers - and your application! Handing your teacher a full resume filled with bullet points often leads to two problems:
Your teacher likely won't have time to sift through every bullet to decide what to include.
A resume is broad and lacks the personal stories that reveal your character and interests.
Similar to essays, you don’t want your recommendation letters to simply repeat your activity list. You want your letters to highlight information and qualities that admissions officers won’t find elsewhere on your application.
Who Needs One?
All students asking for recommendation letters need a brag sheet. Although this advice is most commonly directed at juniors and seniors applying to college, it also applies to any student asking for a recommendation, regardless of grade level. For example, if you’re a ninth grader applying to a summer program with required recommendation letters, a brag sheet is still appropriate.
What Should a Brag Sheet Include?
General information: name, email, graduation year, intended major, schools you’re applying to
Academic reflections: a description of your favorite lesson or topic from their class and what you took away from it, as well as any favorite moments from their class (make this unique for each teacher!)
Extracurriculars: your top 2-3 extracurriculars, why they’re meaningful to you, and how you have contributed to them
Character: One or two stories that highlight qualities colleges value, such as collaboration or inclusivity
Future: your academic and career goals and your motivation to pursue them
Any other additional context that your teacher might not already know
When and How to Give It to Your Teacher
You should send your brag sheet as soon as your teacher agrees to write you a letter. Ideally, this happens in the spring of junior year, after AP testing but before summer break.
It is best to share your brag sheet via email with your teacher - papers are easy to lose! When you send your email, include a polite message thanking them for writing your letter, noting the brag sheet for additional context, and a reminder about your earliest application due date.
Free Download: Brag Sheet Template
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Make your college recommendation letters stronger by giving your teachers a brag sheet. Here’s what to include and how to use it. (Free template)