College Brag Sheet: What It Is and What to Include (with Examples)

In this post, we explain what a college brag sheet is, why it matters, and exactly what you should include to help your recommender write a strong, personal letter on your behalf.

What is a College Recommendation Brag Sheet?

A college recommendation brag sheet is a document or questionnaire that provides information about you to the person writing your letter of recommendation.

Your high school may have its own official brag sheet or questionnaire that you are required to complete. If so, follow that format first. Some schools use separate forms for teacher and counselor recommendations.

If your school does not provide a specific format, you may be able to create your own document for your recommender.

The goal is to help your recommender write a letter that goes beyond your grades, test scores, or activity list. Strong recommendation letters often include specific examples of a student’s academic interests, character, growth, classroom contributions, or experiences. A brag sheet can help provide that context, especially when a teacher or counselor is writing recommendations for many students.

Why Is a Brag Sheet Important?

Your recommender may know you well, but they may only know one part of your story.

For example, your chemistry teacher may remember how you approached a challenging lab project, but may not know that you spend weekends volunteering at a community garden. Your school counselor may know about your extracurricular activities, but may not remember a particular moment when you demonstrated leadership or overcame a challenge.

A brag sheet can help fill in those gaps. It can also remind your recommender of specific experiences they may want to mention in their letter.

What Should You Include in a College Brag Sheet?

Every brag sheet will look a little different, and your school may ask specific questions that you should answer. However, most college recommendation brag sheets include information about your academic interests, activities, experiences, personal qualities, and future goals.

1. Basic Information

Start with the practical information your recommender may need to identify you and understand your college plans. Depending on what your school or recommender requests, this may include

• Your full name, high school, and graduation year;
• Your contact information;
• Your intended major or academic interests, if you have them;
• Your future career goals, if known;
• The colleges or programs to which you are applying, if requested;
• Important application deadlines; and/or
• Instructions for submitting the recommendation, if applicable.

If your school provides a specific brag sheet or questionnaire, be sure to follow its format and answer all required questions.

2. Your Academic Strengths and Interests

Think about the subjects, topics, or types of assignments that genuinely interest you. You might write about a favorite subject, a class that challenged or inspired you, a project you are particularly proud of, or an academic topic you enjoy exploring outside the classroom.

The key is to go beyond simply saying, “I am good at science” or “English is my favorite subject.” Instead, explain why something mattered to you and what you learned from the experience.

For example:

Instead of “I am a strong writer.”

Try “In AP English, I enjoyed learning how an author’s background and historical events can influence literature. For my final project, I researched how immigration shaped the themes in several contemporary novels.”

Specific examples can give your recommender something meaningful on which to build.

3. Activities, Responsibilities, and Accomplishments

Include the activities and experiences that have been most meaningful to you during high school. This might include an extracurricular activity, sport, community service experience, job, internship, family responsibility, creative project, hobby, or leadership role.

However, try not to simply recreate your activity list. Instead, focus on the experiences that have had the greatest impact on you. Explain what you did, how you contributed, and why the experience mattered.

For example:

Student Government: I served as class treasurer for two years, helping organize fundraisers and plan senior events. The experience taught me how to communicate with different personalities and manage responsibilities outside the classroom.

Your activities can help demonstrate qualities such as leadership, collaboration, initiative, commitment, and curiosity. The Common App’s guidance for recommenders also emphasizes the value of concrete examples that show a student’s achievement, growth, engagement, resilience, leadership, and character.

Related Blog Post:  Impactful Extracurricular Activities to Add to College Applications

4. Personal Strengths 

Writing about your strengths can feel awkward at first. How do you talk about yourself without sounding like you are bragging?

Instead of simply listing qualities such as hardworking, responsible, or creative, focus on examples that demonstrate those strengths.

For example, rather than writing,

“I am hardworking and responsible,”

you could describe a specific experience:

“During junior year, I balanced a part-time job with three honors classes and varsity soccer. When I realized I was struggling to manage my time, I created a weekly schedule and began meeting with my teacher during extra help. By the end of the semester, I had improved my grade and learned how to better manage competing responsibilities.”

That example tells your recommender much more about you than a list of adjectives. Ask yourself: What qualities do I want my recommender to understand about me, and when have I demonstrated them?

5. A Story About Growth or Overcoming a Challenge

College is a time of growth, and admission officers are often interested in understanding how students respond to challenges.

If there is an experience that helped you grow, your brag sheet may be an appropriate place to discuss it. This could be an academic challenge, a difficult transition, a new responsibility, a mistake you learned from, or another experience that changed your perspective.

You do not have to share anything you are uncomfortable discussing. If you choose to include a challenge, focus not only on what happened, but also on how you responded and what you learned.

For example:

“During my sophomore year, I struggled in my first honors math class. At first, I was embarrassed to ask for help. Eventually, I began attending extra-help sessions and studying with classmates. The experience taught me that asking questions is part of learning, not a sign that I am failing.”

6. Your Goals for College and Beyond

Your recommender does not need to know your entire 10-year plan. However, it can be helpful to explain what interests you about college and what you hope to explore in the future.

You might discuss a possible major, career interest, problem, or issue you hope to help solve, or skills you would like to develop in college. If a particular experience influenced those goals, explain that connection.

For example:

“I am interested in studying business because I have enjoyed helping my family run our small business. In college, I hope to learn more about marketing and entrepreneurship and eventually use those skills to support other small businesses in my community.”

This information can help your recommender connect your past experiences with your future goals.

Related Blog Post:  How to Set Academic Goals: 4 Steps for Early College Success

7. Information Your Recommender May Not Know About You

This may be one of the most valuable parts of your brag sheet.

Ask yourself: What is something important about me that does not appear on my transcript or activity list?

Maybe you care for younger siblings after school, have spent years developing a hobby, taught yourself a particular skill, participate in a meaningful family tradition, or work on a personal creative project. You may also have a responsibility or experience that has influenced your interests, perspective, or future goals.

These details can give your recommender a fuller picture of who you are and help them write a letter that feels more personal and specific.

A Brag Sheet Is About Helping Someone Tell Your Story.

Writing about yourself can feel uncomfortable, especially when the document is literally called a “brag sheet.”

But you do not need to sound impressive or use big words to create a useful one.

The best brag sheets are honest, specific, and personal. They give your teacher or counselor the information they need to write a recommendation that reflects more than your grades or résumé.

Your answers may give your recommender exactly the details they need to help bring your college application to life.