Recommendation Letters for Catholic School

[Paddy]

Can someone who knows explain to me how it works with Recommendation Letters for Catholic schools? We are applying to several including the most competitive ones St. Brendan and St. Cecilia.

I have heard of women who are going around asking a lot of parishioners and parish organization they are involved in to write letters of recommendation on their behalf. They may end up with 4 - 8 letters. This seems a bit tacky to me - 2 or 3 I understand, but to get more, just to have more like it's a numbers game.

Can someone tell me how this works? Is it better to get as many letters of rec as possible for your child? Or can you have "too many" - i.e it's obvious you have asked anyone/everyone. I am just not sure how to proceed.

It's supposed to be a very competitive year for some Catholic schools for applications 2012-2013.

[TMZmom]

I am a firm believer in "quality not quantity". I think if you have a letter or two from someone in the school or parish that knows you very well then that will be a great addition to your application!

[lauradfam]

I fully agree with TMZmom. It's about quality not quantity. If you're looking for people who can write recommendations for your child, try to find somebody who is very active in the parish and knows the principal well. You may also want to find out if the person writing a recommendation for you expect your child to go to the school if accepted. Sometimes that's the expectation since they went out of their way to vouch for you.

[mominthecity]

Definitely Quality over quantity! I would say to be very selective about whom you ask to write your letters. Someone who you would hope would be a similar reflection of you and your family i.e. a parent/family who is extremely involved in the school and ideally knows the principal and priest well. Two very influentlial letters should be plenty.