I am generally a very capable applicant, with a 4.0GPA and international awards as well as distinguished EC’s. My SSAT after only one practice test is up in the 90th percentile range, so I consider that all to be generally fine.
However, I am mostly nervous with my rec’s. My school is an international K-12 and I live in Beijing, China. Since 8th grade has just started, I feel as if the relationship with my teachers isnt very good. Therefore, since this is something new to the teachers I will be asking for rec’s, I need some advice on how to approach the process and convince them to enthusiastically help.
First, most schools that you apply to will require recs from both your current math and English (literature) teachers. Draft a cover letter (or email) to these teachers and attach both your transcript and resume. Your cover letter/email will explain the process. Ex. Give them the deadlines to respond for each school and explain that they will be receiving emails directly from schools that will direct the, to the school’s portal to fill out the recs. Next, tell them why this is so important to you and how appreciative you are of their time. Maybe even add in an anecdote or two about your experience in their class or at least at the school.
You will be able to check in to the portals later on to determine whether the teachers have completed the recs. If it is 2 weeks out from the deadline and the recs haven’t been completed, email the teachers again and remind them of deadline, ask them if there is anything you can do to help, and thank them again for their time.
If you apply to schools -some use Gateway and some use SAO–Two sets of recommendations from Math & English-you may have to explain this to your teachers-- good idea above from @Kthor626