Files and Letters of Recommendation

Admissions managers can enable people to submit files for candidates online including letters of recommendation. For example, a teacher at a candidate's current school can provide information about the student who has applied to your school. The person who completes the recommendation does not need to be a user in your "on" products.

For candidates with submitted files, select Admissions, Admissions management, and then Process file submissions to see a complete list. Select the applicant on the left side to have their profile appear in full.

From here, admissions staff have multiple options:

  • View or delete submitted files. This also includes a del;ete all files option.

  • Update checklist items.

  • Compose an official note.

  • Process the files. A confirmation screen appears before anything is processed.

In a word processor (such as Microsoft Word), create a file which people outside of your school can use as a template for their letters of recommendation.

  1. From Enrollment management, select Admissions and then Admissions setup.

  2. Select Checklists, then find the existing checklist you want to update then select Edit.

  3. Select + Add Step for the milestone you need to update.

  4. For Type, choose Recommendation. Then enter additional information about the step. To add a Recommendation Form you've created, select the Online Recommendation option under Type and then a new selector appears with the previously created forms for you to pick from.

    Tip: An admissions manager can add or edit recommendation types.

  5. If you previously created a template file to help people write letters of recommendation, add the file as an attachment.

  6. Under Candidate Publishing Options, for Allow Recommendation Request, choose Yes.

  7. For Recipient Label, enter the occupation or relationship of the person who should complete the recommendation. For example, the recipient might be a teacher, coach, or a religious leader.

  8. Edit the Recommendation Email Message. This message should invite the person to complete a letter of recommendation. It will include a link to submit the letter or politely decline. You may also want to include information about your school.

  9. Edit the Recommendation Page Text. This text should thank the person for taking the time to submit a letter of recommendation online regarding the candidate who is applying to your school. It should also include instructions or additional information about your school recommendation process.

    Tip: Want to see what a person who submitted a recommendation might see? View the a sample recommendation page.

  10. Save the step. When you assign the check list to a candidate, the family can ask someone to complete a letter of recommendation online.

When a checklist requires parents or guardians of a candidate to submit a letter of recommendation, they can manage the process online. Refer to Request a Letter of Recommendation.

If the help panel is not enabled for parents or students, consider including a link to Request a Letter of Recommendation when you provide candidates with instructions for the application process.

When a parent of a candidate invites a person to complete a recommendation, that person receives an email with a link. The person should:

  1. Select the link in the email.

  2. Review the invitation to ensure that they know the student. The person can also read any custom text the school added about the request for a letter of recommendation.

    • If the person is not allowed to submit a recommendation or does not want to submit a letter, the person can select to decline the request. The family will be notified and they can request a letter of recommendation from someone else.

    • If the school created a template, the person can download the file attachment and edit it to include responses. Otherwise, the person can use a word processor (such as Microsoft Word) to create a letter of recommendation.

  3. Select the link in the email.

  4. Upload the letter of recommendation as a file attachment.

  5. Select Submit. A confirmation message appears.

    If the school hasn't processed the recommendation yet, the recipient can delete it and resubmit.

Tip: When the recipient receives the email notification, the link inside and the online submission page will be valid for 60 days. This may differ from the deadline for the application. The candidate, the candidate's family, and the person who received the request should ensure the earlier deadline is met.

After someone submits a recommendation, you can view it from the candidate's Record, under Recommendations.

To process files in bulk for all candidates, from Enrollment management, select Home and then File Submissions.