<p>Is it necessary or would it help for me to talk to my 2 recommenders about what I do outside of school and my troubles in my personal life for them to write the best recommendations possible? One already wrote a letter of recommendation, but it was for a program at Penn, and the other recommender wrote a short recommendation (not a letter necessarily) for a fly in program. I know both of them wrote really positive things because they really like me but do you think I should talk to them in person at the beginning of the year? And also, since they already know what to write or wrote about me, would it be bad since they won't change anything when they submit it for Early Decision app at Penn? </p>
<p>You probably could talk to them about what you do outside of school, although I don’t know how helpful it would be. They can’t really support anything you say that they didn’t witness themselves. If they like you as you say and can write positive things about you, you’ll be fine. Actually having them already know what to write about you is a plus. You’ll be fine!
Good luck!</p>
<p>Okay thanks! That’s what I thought. The point of them writing recs is to show my ability under their eyes.
I should talk to my counselor though right? She’s new to the school. And she’ll also notice that I did not take 2 AP classes, so I have to explain to her it is because both AP classes conflicted with Calculus, and I am also taking classes outside of school (2 classes, 1 in the Fall, other during Spring). And I also help a classmate of mine during class with interpreting and also with vocabulary, etc. Finally, I self-host tutoring for a few elementary immigrant kids that I live close with. Maybe that’ll make her write a better SSR? </p>
<p>I think some students do send teachers who are writing for them a sort of “brag” sheet. A “one pager”
that lists their activities, accomplishments, awards and outside interests. Teachers are often writing for many students and some they may know better than others. This may not be customary in all schools so you may want to touch base with the teacher and ask if that would be helpful to them.</p>
<p>Well I don’t think it’s necessary for my recommenders, I already gave them a copy of my resume :)</p>
<p>Sounds like they have what they need then! </p>
<p>Yeah, I do need to give one to my recommender and talk to her about my outside classes though, so she fully understands my situation and writes a good SSR.</p>