Lette of Rec - which to use?!

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May 22, 2018
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Hi. My DS is currently putting together his letters of recommendation for nomination. He got a letter from his principle (school has almost 3000 students) and the letter she gave him is basically a cut and past letter, with no personal info at all even though we gave her a brag sheet to pull info from.

He also got an excellent letter from the assistant principle who knows our family well. His official title is Administrative Assistant even though he is an Assistant Principle.

Here is the dilemma: One of our nomination sources requires that one letter be from a principle or counselor. The letter from the principle is nothing special, but we have this other letter that is wonderful except that the title is Administrative Assistant but he is actually Assistant Principle.

What would you do?
 
I would contact your congressperson's academy coordinator, and ask if they'll accept a letter of recommendation from the assistant principal. They're usually good with answering questions from constituents.
 
It's principal. Anyway, the title of the assistant principal is too bad. An admin assistant in schools is, well, an assistant. It is kind of odd the district would give an AP that title. DS needs a great letter. The boss didn't come through. I guess I'd send the best letter and not the best title.
 
It's principal. Anyway, the title of the assistant principal is too bad. An admin assistant in schools is, well, an assistant. It is kind of odd the district would give an AP that title. DS needs a great letter. The boss didn't come through. I guess I'd send the best letter and not the best title.

Haha! You are right - Principal; and I am usually a spelling freak. I was typing quickly and distracted. My apologies.
 
Good reminder that, when asking for recommendations, it's a good idea to provide "talking points." Simply saying, "May I send you a one-pager to help you in the process?" would be welcome by most people. It makes their task easier. Include a few focused bullet points of the things you want highlighted. You can tailor the bullet points if the recommendation letter needs to answer specific topics. Otherwise, make sure the points reinforce the ones you're making in your own essays/interviews/application. This is a proactive step -- call it "owning the process" -- that can help avoid the dreaded cookie-cutter letter.
 
When your DS contacts the MOC coordinator (it should be your DS, not you), he might want to mention that he attends a very large school and that the ass't principal knows him better (assuming true). However, it's their call as to what they will accept.
 
It's principal. Anyway, the title of the assistant principal is too bad. An admin assistant in schools is, well, an assistant. It is kind of odd the district would give an AP that title. DS needs a great letter. The boss didn't come through. I guess I'd send the best letter and not the best title.

Haha! You are right - Principal; and I am usually a spelling freak. I was typing quickly and distracted. My apologies.
I have dyslexia and about to finish a second master's. Believe it or not, that kind of stuff sticks out like a lighthouse. Years of compensating I guess. I shouldn't "correct papers" on the Internet. I knew what you meant.
 
^^ I agree, since the OP indicated it could be either. If the principal doesn't know you well enough to write an effective recommendation, that is where I would look next. Handing someone a resume to help coach them on writing a recommendation is no replacement for first-hand knowledge of the individual.
 
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