If you’re a junior in high school, read this.

The end of the school year is fast approaching, and if you haven’t already landed a summer job, you’re probably searching for one now – good for you! But did you know that if you’re planning on attending college, in addition to taking college entrance exams, you should also be researching colleges and the various types of financial aid that may be available to you? And, believe it or not, you should also start thinking about letters of recommendation.


A brag sheet isn’t as bad as it sounds.

Letters of recommendation are an important part of both the college admissions and scholarship application processes. Think about the teachers, coaches, school counselors, and mentors who know you best and can speak to your character, achievements, and potential. But before you ask them, remember that these people are busy, and it’s very possible that yours will be one of many such requests they receive. So be sure to give them plenty of lead time, and prepare a brag sheet in advance that will give them a quick “highlight reel” of your high school academic achievements and extracurricular activities.

Don’t confuse a brag sheet with a resume. And don’t be afraid to sing your own praises and toot your own horn when it comes to your brag sheet. This isn’t the place to hold back, to be shy, or to downplay your successes; in fact, while your brag sheet should be an accurate reflection of your attributes, it should also showcase all the things that make you unique and set you apart from the crowd.


Free Brag Sheet Template

Our brag sheet template will help you compile and organize information about yourself in a single document that you can hand to anyone who will be writing a letter of recommendation for you. While your school may have its own version, our fillable PDF is popular because it can be completed by hand or electronically!