BRAG SHEET Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology

BRAG SHEET Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology Academy HS Mrs. Reteguin (February/March 2013)

WHAT IS A BRAG SHEET? ² A resume of everything you have done outside the classroom throughout high school ² You should keep record of what you have been doing since you started ninth grade. ² Updates/additions to the worksheet while you move through high school will ensure that you don’t miss any opportunities to highlight activities that might raise your admissions profile. ² BRAG SHEETS: Usually include 7 categories: ² #1. Extracurricular: Includes ASB, yearbook, music, drama, art, organizations, clubs, etc. ² #2. Sports: Includes organized sports in and out of school. ² #3. Summer Experiences: Missions trips, summer travel programs (not vacations), summer school at a college that interests you, sports/summer camps, community service projects, etc. You can include the summer before ninth grade

WHAT IS A BRAG SHEET? ² #4. Awards/Honors: Includes school, regional or national prizes in any subject, sports awards, National Merit Standing, end-of-year awards, husky hots, benchmark recognitions, etc. ² #5. Employment: Camp counselor, babysitting, internships, tutoring, jobs, etc. ² #6. Hobbies: Interests you have that are not organized: READING (with a book list), computer programming, etc. ² #7. Church/Community: Youth group/discipleship group involvement, leadership positions, mission trips, community service, etc.

WHY DO YOU NEED IT? u Brag sheets help the staff you choose write you a letter of recommendation u Letters of recommendation are part of the college application process u Recommendation letters can have an important impact on you getting into a college or earning a college scholarship, remember you are competing with thousands of students for a spot at the college of your choice u College admissions officers and/or members of a scholarship selection committee want more than a list of descriptive academic adjectives of a list of personal traits, activities or honors u To say that you are responsible, creative or possess intellectual curiosity is not enough You must provide examples or anecdotes that support these personal or academic traits. This helps the reader gain insight into who you are u You want your brag sheet to include information that will distinguish you from other qualified applicants

ACTIVITY v Complete the brag sheet to the best of your ability v Keep it in safe place v You will need to use it often for scholarships that require letters of recommendation, summer programs, and the college admission process v You will need to make copies of your original and provide it to the person(s) writing letters of recommendation for you 1. 3. v How to ask for a letter of recommendation? Ask if your recommender has time to write the letter by the deadline (always ask for the letter at least a week before the actual deadline in case something comes up) 2. Give them a copy of your brag sheet Provide information on the scholarship, school, summer program they are writing the letter for 4. Give your recommender at least 2 -3 weeks notice 5. Follow up a week before to remind them 6. It is professional to write a “thank you” note