Letters of Recommendation: Don't Send
We ask you not to send letters of recommendation. Many of you are asking why.
"Don’t you want to read all the things my teachers, counselors, coaches, members of the clergy, relatives, and other mentors have to say about me?"
Actually, we don’t. We really want you to tell us those things instead. We used to accept letters of recommendation, but we don't anymore. They weren't very helpful to us, and they took up a lot of space in our office.
Here's the thing: We believe that the application for admission to the UW is your application. We want to get to know you, and we believe the best way to do that is through the materials you prepare in the Writing Section of the application.
Your teachers and counselors can't say it any better than you can. You know your life story, your hopes and dreams, your most significant activities. No letters: just you.
P.S. Applicants to the University Honors Program do need to request one letter of recommendation. Don't get Honors confused with general admission to the UW.
Paul Seegert, Associate Director for Operations, surrounded by about 4,000 unnecessary letters of recommendation for the autumn 2011 freshman application cycle.
Photo by Katherine B. Turner/UW Admissions
