In the video below SAWUSA’s Tim Ryerson explains what a Letter of Recommendation is and how to complete this step in the SAWUSA application process.
Instructions on the SAWUSA Application Website
Please submit a Letter of Recommendation WRITTEN BY A TEACHER / COACH / PASTOR / COMMUNITY LEADER, etc. and recommending you SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS TOUR. Only 1 is required, but you may submit a maximum of 3. Make sure the letter includes the NAME and TITLE of the person writing the letter of recommendation. The letter(s) should discuss your character as a person, integrity, work ethic, leadership ability, athletic ability, scholastic ability, and most importantly your ability to represent the USA as an ambassador in international athletic competition. You may either upload a file or paste copied text below. When you are finished, be sure to click UPLOAD LETTERS at the bottom of the page. We are excited to review!
-PLEASE NOTE-
- DO NOT UPLOAD FAKE LETTERS or write in ‘I DON’T HAVE ONE’ or try to bypass this step. IT IS REQUIRED.
- DO NOT UPLOAD A PICTURE OF THE LETTER YOU GOT IN THE MAIL from us. That letter was an invitation to apply. That is not a letter of recommendation.
- DO NOT UPLOAD A SCREENSHOT OF THE TEXT OR EMAIL you received from us telling you that a specific coach nominated you. You need to reach out either to that coach, or someone else, and have them write a letter on your behalf.
- DO NOT UPLOAD A PICTURE OF A CAMP INVITE, RECRUITING LETTER FROM A COLLEGE COACH, EVALUATION FROM A SCOUTING SERVICE OR CAMP, COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LETTER, ETC. That is not a Letter of Recommendation. The letter needs to specifically nominate you for this specific SaWUSA tour.
- DO NOT WRITE THIS YOURSELF or have a teammate or friend write this. It needs to be written by a TEACHER / COACH / PASTOR / COMMUNITY LEADER, etc.
- WE DO NOT ACCEPT LOR’S WRITTEN BY FAMILY MEMBERS (even if they coach you).
- DO NOT UPLOAD A GENERIC LETTER about your athletic ability or a letter recommending you for a college. The only thing we will accept is a letter about you specifically concerning this tour with SaWUSA.
- DO NOT UPLOAD A ONE OR TWO SENTENCE letter. We are looking to get to know you.
Still don’t understand what a Letter of Recommendation is? See an example here.
IF YOU DO ANY OF THESE, WE ARE JUST GOING TO DELETE THE UPLOADED MATERIALS AND CANCEL YOUR INTERVIEW. THIS WILL WASTE OUR TIME AND YOURS. UPLOADING UNACCEPTABLE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION WILL ALSO DISQUALIFY YOU FROM FUTURE CONSIDERATION.