How helpful are College Essay Guy's resources for writing letters of recommendation?

College Essay Guy does have resources tailored for teachers and counselors who are writing recommendation letters. These materials include sample letters, questionnaires for students to fill out, and detailed guides on how to make a recommendation both personal and memorable. Users report that these can be really useful—especially for educators who write dozens of letters every fall and may struggle to make each one stand out.

If your teachers are stretched thin, offering them a structured template or a student input form can actually be a relief for them, not a burden. For example, College Essay Guy’s ‘Brag Sheet’ or ‘Recommender Questionnaire’ asks students to articulate their strengths, interests, and meaningful experiences. Giving one of these to your recommender can prompt specific, detailed stories instead of a generic letter. One student I know shared the questionnaire with her history teacher and received a much more personalized letter—her teacher mentioned a class project they’d both forgotten about, simply because it came up in the notes.

The key is how you approach it: rather than handing over a template with the expectation they’ll use it exactly, frame it as a way to be helpful. Say something like, “I know you’re writing a lot of letters this year, so I thought I’d share some materials I found in case they’re useful. Feel free to use as much or as little as you like.” That makes it clear you’re just offering support, not demanding anything specific.

Sharing these materials won’t seem pushy if done respectfully. In fact, it can be a way to show that you’re thoughtful and appreciative of their time. And while teachers have their own styles, even just filling out the student questionnaire for them can provide new, memorable content they wouldn’t otherwise know about.

So, in short, the guides can absolutely make it easier for your teachers to write strong, specific letters—but how much they help will depend on your teacher’s willingness to use outside resources. If you do decide to share them, make it optional and appreciative. Many teachers end up grateful for the extra details!