Please read and follow all instructions before submitting your application and sending the information to your recommender. The simplest way to inform your recommender of the submission process is to send them the “Instructions for Recommenders” file that has been attached to this email.
Letter of Recommendation: The Letter of Recommendation must come from an adult who meets the following requirements:
● Is not related to you or your family members
● Is not a current member of the RHS faculty/staff (this includes athletic coaches)
● Has known you for at least six months
● Can speak to your qualifications in at least one of the NHS areas of emphasis (scholarship, leadership, service, character) The letter itself has two parts. It must be:
● Submitted electronically before the deadline (see dates below)
● Printed on paper (where possible and appropriate, letterhead is preferred)
● Signed and dated by the person writing the letter ● Placed in a sealed envelope with the recommender’s initials on the seal.
● Mailed to Dr. Harper at Reservoir High with the following form of address:
Dr. Matthew Harper RE: NHS Applicant (Name of applicant here)
11550 Scaggsville Rd
Fulton, MD 20759
For early notification, the electronic submission of the letter of recommendation will suffice, however, if the printed letter is not received by December 6, then the student will not be invited to participate in the induction ceremony.
Deadline for Applications/Letters:
● Early Notification: 12.00 PM, October 30, 2020,
● All other applications: 11.59 PM, December 6, 2020
Acceptance emails for Early Notification will be sent by 12.00 PM October 31.
Note the following documents that will help you in your application:
Instructions for Recommenders (also attached)
National Honor Society Reservoir Chapter
Instructions for Recommenders: The National Honor Society, (NHS), works to recognize and honor high school juniors and seniors who excel in the classroom. The four pillars of the NHS are character, scholarship, leadership, and service. To become a member of the NHS, each applicant needs a recommendation letter that describes how the student demonstrates one or more of the pillars. A good letter of recommendation will increase the odds that the student will gain entrance into society.
1. Introduce Yourself and the Student Begin your recommendation letter for the student by introducing yourself and sharing your personal connection. Explain how you know the student, when you first met, and what type of interaction you have had with them. This aspect of the letter is usually short, but it's important because it establishes that you know the student well enough to recommend acceptance into the NHS.
2. Describe What Makes the Student Special The bulk of the recommendation letter for the student should include information about why they would be a good fit for the NHS. You should focus on at least one of the four pillars of the NHS, Character, scholarship, leadership, or service. If you can speak to more than one of the pillars you should. Your recommendation should include specific examples from your association with them of how the student upholds each NHS pillar you are recommending them for.
3. Close With Kind Words The end of your recommendation letter for the student should include a few good words about the student, as well as your wholehearted recommendation that she deserves to be a member of the NHS. Include a statement welcoming the reviewer of the letter to contact you with further questions and provide your preferred contact information, as well. End the letter with your signature.
Submission Procedure.
● All recommenders must use the google form provided in the link below to submit their letter.
● All letters must be printed, signed, and dated.
● Scan the printed, signed letter, or take a high-quality photograph of it and upload it as an artifact in the appropriate space on the google form.
● Please also copy and paste the text of your letter into the appropriate space on the google form
● After submitting through the google form please mail the letter in a sealed envelope with your initials on the seal to the following address: Dr. Matthew Harper RE: NHS Applicant (Name of applicant here) Reservoir High School 11550 Scaggsville Rd Fulton, MD 20759
Other Requirements/Advice
● The Letter of Recommendation must come from an adult who meets the following requirements: ○ Is not related to the applicant or any of their family members ○ Is not a current member of the RHS faculty/staff (this includes athletic coaches) ○ Has known the applicant for at least six months
● Though not required, if your connection with the student is through a school, or organization that has an official letterhead, you should use it to submit your letter.
● The letter is confidential. You are not allowed to share the letter with the student prior to submission.
● You may ask the student for a resume, and for information on why they think you would be an appropriate recommender, but if there is reason to believe that a student collaborated in writing the letter, or reviewed it beforehand, then that will be grounds for non-acceptance.
● If you have any reluctance to recommend the student, or if you do not meet the requirements stated above, then you should communicate with the student and politely decline to recommend them.