<p>So i thought my math teacher, whom i've gotten to know very well over the years would write an awesome rec, but i got a glimpse of it today and to be honest it was mediocre. How much can a bad rec weigh in on the admissions process at Williams? Is this really going to hurt me?</p>
<p>Yeah I would like to know also. One of my teacher recs and my counselor rec is not that great.</p>
<p>Many people have told me that recs can only help you and a mediocre one won't hurt. The only thing that could hurt is if your teacher starts saying really bad things. That's what I've heard, but I'm not sure.</p>
<p>Anyone else know?</p>
<p>Who knows.</p>
<p>Add another rec?
Like from a coach or volunteer coordinator or someone who knows you in a different setting? Then it wouldn't seen strange to have a third rec - you'd have academic ones and a non-academic one. Great rec could overpower mediocre one. Rec that ties into your passion or your essay could be amazing.</p>
<p>You probably could have it sent in January since it would be "extra.".</p>
<p>define "mediocre"</p>
<p>To me, mediocre is:</p>
<p>Student X is a joy to have in my class. She's very responsible and kind. She loves participating in class. She is making all As in my class.</p>
<p>Basically, a list of cliched recommendation phrases.</p>
<p>i think many people have recs like that.</p>
<p>most of mine were like that and, quite frankly, most everyone's at my school were similar.</p>
<p>i think a good rec can help, certainly, but a mediocre one wont necessarily hurt.</p>
<p>mine are also VERY inconsistent. some say im outgoing/particpatory in class, others say im quiet and reserved... so w/e!</p>
<p>haha same here!
Our school is stupid, and so far I've had a different counselor each year.
So when I asked my counselor to do my rec for me, it was the second time I talked to her, so she said I was quiet.
But then my other two teachers said I was outgoing....haha</p>
<p>Yea... I think given the volume of recs teachers have to write... not many of them are "good."</p>
<p>I imagine most people have recs similar to ours, in which we are described in very vague terms just to simplify the process for the teacher.</p>
<p>Although I had one teacher who had sort of a "basic" recommendation letter, in which he modified the names and activities, achievements, and then just handed them out. HOWEVER he also had 3 or 4 "levels," ie - one letter was good, one was decent, one OK and one not-so-good. I'm happy to have gotten the good one, along with only like 3 other people. Although I think all 3 are applying to Williams, so that could be a bit to my disadvantage.</p>
<p>In my experience, most recs, both for me and for others, followed a trend of being vague and generally inpersonal.</p>
<p>My calc teacher had a program that actually had a resume all written out, and all he had to do was insert our names and "eight adjectives"
Kinda like one of those Mad Libs games haha</p>
<p>And the sad thing is, he also made us come up with the 8 adjective ourselves.</p>
<p>But anyway, even though it was a generic rec, it was still pretty okay.</p>