How to Create a Brag Sheet for Recommendations (so teachers & counselors write standout letters)
Getting a glowing college recommendation is about more than just being a “good student.” Busy teachers and counselors write dozens of letters each year, and the most effective way to help them tell your story is a concise, compelling brag sheet. Think of it as a one-page snapshot that gives recommenders everything they need to write personalized, memorable letters that boost your admissions chances.
What is a brag sheet — and why it matters
A brag sheet (sometimes called a “student resume” for recommenders) is a short document that summarizes your accomplishments, personality, interests, and goals. It saves recommenders time and gives them specific examples and anecdotes to use in letters, making those letters more vivid and persuasive. Colleges notice when recommendations include concrete details — and those details often come directly from a well-crafted brag sheet.
Who should get a brag sheet
- Counselor: Required for most applications; include complete academic context and extracurricular summary.
- Teachers: Provide to each teacher who will write a letter (usually two in core subjects). Tailor each brag sheet to highlight relevant work and interactions with that teacher.
- Coaches, employers, mentors: If they’re writing a recommendation, give them a shorter version focused on athletics, work experience, or community service.
How long should a brag sheet be?
Keep it to one page for teachers and 1–2 pages for counselors (counselors often need more context). Use bullet points and short phrases. Clear, scannable organization is more helpful than long paragraphs.
Step-by-step: What to include on a brag sheet
1. Basic info (top of page)
- Full name (as it appears on applications)
- Email and phone number
- Graduation year, school name, counselor’s name
- Intended major(s) or academic interests (if known)
2. How the recommender knows you
- Class(es) taken with them (include year(s)/grade level)
- Role (student, team member, research assistant, advisee)
- Any notable projects, papers, or moments in that class
3. Short personal summary (2–3 sentences)
- One-line description of who you are academically and personally (e.g., “Curious, collaborative biochemistry enthusiast who seeks research opportunities and loves mentoring underclassmen.”)
4. Academics (highlight what’s relevant)
- Class rank/GPA (if you know it) and any upward trends in grades
- AP/IB/honors classes you’ve taken (especially those related to intended major)
- Awards, research, independent study, or capstone projects (1–2 bullets each with dates)
5. Extracurriculars and leadership (use brief bullets)
- Club name — role — dates — 1–2 sentence impact statement (e.g., “Debate Team — Team Captain, 2022–24 — Organized regional tournament; coached three new members to win novice awards.”)
- Include community service, internships, work, athletics, arts
6. Notable accomplishments & recognitions
- List awards, scholarships, publications, performances, or athletic honors with dates and one-line context
7. Personal qualities & examples (show don’t tell)
- Choose 3–5 traits (e.g., resilient, curious, empathetic) and add a short example for each: “Resilient — After a concussion in sophomore year, completed AP Biology while catching up on missed lab work and helped lead peer study sessions.”
8. Academic/career goals and “why this college”
- One or two sentences about what you hope to study and why — helps recommenders tie your qualities to future fit
9. Anything unusual or important for context
- Family responsibilities, interruptions in coursework, first-generation college student status, major overcoming of challenges
10. Logistics for the recommender
- Deadlines and submission method (Common App, school portal, email)
- How to submit (include links only if sending digitally); offer to provide transcripts or resumes if needed
Sample brag-sheet snippet (template language)
- Academics: 3.9 GPA (unweighted), AP Biology (A), AP Calculus (A) — Completed independent summer research on coral microbiomes (June–Aug 2023).
- Activities: Science Club — President (2023–24) — Started a peer research mentorship program; led 12 students in poster presentations.
- Personal quality: Creative problem-solver — Rebuilt lab protocol to reduce contamination, which improved repeatability of experiments.
Top tips to make your brag sheet effective
- Be specific. Replace vague phrases (“hard worker”) with short examples (“managed lab schedules and trained 4 volunteers to maintain experiment continuity”).
- Prioritize relevance. For a teacher in English, emphasize writing, close reading, and discussion leadership. For a coach, emphasize teamwork and persistence.
- Keep tone modest but confident. This document is meant to guide the recommender, not to boast without evidence.
- Proofread carefully. Typos undermine credibility.
- Ask early. Give recommenders at least 3–4 weeks, ideally more. Provide gentle reminders 1–2 weeks before the deadline.
What not to do
- Don’t overwhelm recommenders with every single activity since 6th grade. Focus on high school and recent achievements.
- Don’t fabricate or exaggerate. Recommenders will notice inconsistencies.
- Avoid dense paragraphs — use bullets and clear headers for quick skimming.
When and how to deliver the brag sheet
- Email is usually best: write a brief note expressing gratitude, attach the brag sheet as a PDF, and remind them of deadlines.
- For in-person relationships, offer to meet briefly to answer questions and discuss your goals.
- If using an online portal (Common App or school system), confirm whether your recommender prefers a digital copy or a printed one.
A final quick checklist before you send
- One page for teachers; 1–2 for counselors
- Clear contact info and deadlines included
- Tailored examples for each recommender’s context
- Polished, concise, and proofread
Want help polishing your brag sheet?
If you’d like a second pair of eyes or a template to adapt, College ReFocus helps students craft brag sheets and recommendation-ready materials that make letters stand out. Prepare your recommenders — and your application — with confidence.