Tailored HYS LORs for transferring? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi, I'll be applying to transfer to HYS soon and am gathering LORs. Both of my LOR writers went to one of HYS (the same one). I have two questions:

1) I'm thinking of having both of my professors write a tailored LOR to the HYS that they went to. How exactly should I go about having them do this and what should they tailor their letter to exactly? On a side note, one of my reasons for transferring is that I have a significant other at the HYS that my professors went to. Should I mention this to them?

2) Both of my professors asked me whether there's anything I would like them to focus the LOR on. For transfers, what would good focus points be?

I'm asking this now because I will be sending them my materials soon to give them adequate time to write the letter. Thanks!


Please don't quote.

[Nebby]

I have no idea what a targeted LOR in this instance would look like. "Yo I went to your school and this kid is good." That's not very persuasive nor do adcomms care.

For transfer LOR, they should focus on why you're a good student.

[Anonymous User]

I have no idea what a targeted LOR in this instance would look like. "Yo I went to your school and this kid is good." That's not very persuasive nor do adcomms care.

For transfer LOR, they should focus on why you're a good student.

I was thinking something along the lines of: based on their experience at X school, I'd be a great fit at X school for ___ reasons. I just thought that invoking their ties to the school (as alum) would be beneficial for me. Am I overthinking this?

[Nebby]

I have no idea what a targeted LOR in this instance would look like. "Yo I went to your school and this kid is good." That's not very persuasive nor do adcomms care.

For transfer LOR, they should focus on why you're a good student.

I was thinking something along the lines of: based on their experience at X school, I'd be a great fit at X school for ___ reasons. I just thought that invoking their ties to the school (as alum) would be beneficial for me. Am I overthinking this?

Yes

[mjb447]

I have no idea what a targeted LOR in this instance would look like. "Yo I went to your school and this kid is good." That's not very persuasive nor do adcomms care.

For transfer LOR, they should focus on why you're a good student.

I was thinking something along the lines of: based on their experience at X school, I'd be a great fit at X school for ___ reasons. I just thought that invoking their ties to the school (as alum) would be beneficial for me. Am I overthinking this?

Yes

I agree. Sure, they can say something like "As an X alum, I know that OP will thrive/be a great fit at X," but that's really trivially easy to say, and I don't know how they get more specific in a way that's likely to help you very much and not come off as super awkward. ("I remember 1000 years ago when I went to X with profs who are all probably dead or retired now. I assume that experience is still totally representative, and OP will fit right in!")

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the advice. Anyone have opinions on the "what would I like [them] to include" question?