Suggestions for reference letters - specific to the School of Public Issues but with a common thread to the other schools.

Let us know in what ways this student:

1. possesses curiosity, is a keen observer, thrives on complexity, gets involved;
2. is a risk-taker;
3. shows strong intellectual ability in functions such as abstract thinking, conceptualization, and reasoning;
4. sees new relationships; is able to generate many alternatives;
5. develops ideas that are original, yet adaptive, to the requirements of a particular task;
6. is tolerant of ambiguity;
7. learns rapidly, easily and efficiently; retains and uses information;
8. has a sense of humor;
9. is inquisitive, asks provocative questions, has unusual ability to evaluate and criticize ideas;
10. is very likely to have the courage to support his/her convictions in spite of open criticism, and may dissent from authority at times;
11. is sensitive to others and adaptive to new situations;
12. demonstrates leadership ability in his/her peer group; has an ability to organize people and tasks, and to motivate others;
13. has a pronounced ability to concentrate for long periods of time and is a producer;
14. derives considerable pleasure from intellectual and artistic attainments;
15. demonstrates strong moral and social concerns

TIPS FOR WRITING HELPFUL LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Don't simply repeat our list of the characteristics of gifted students
• Don't state the obvious.  We assume this student is gifted and talented as are most of the applicants.
• Do tell stories about the student that bring these  characteristics to life.
• Do reveal how a student's apparent weaknesses may be compensated by other strengths.
• Don't simply repeat oa list of student's accomplishments that are listed elsewhere in the application, but include you observations of the student's engagement with those activities.

http://www.nj.gov/govschool/