Bad Letter of Recommendation

Applying to College
1

<p>I go to a vocational school, where I do what I want to go to college for. I am a star student, doing very well in class. I asked my teacher for a letter of recommendation, but there is just one problem. Last year, I got in some trouble (3 days in school suspension), and this teacher feels compelled to talk about this incident. I already explained all about the incident in the Common App when it asks about disciplinary action. In the end, it was sort of a misunderstanding, and I explained that.</p>

<p>I truly feel out of the people that I could ask, that this teacher is the best, since he is in the field that I am trying to get into, and also because I am very involved, and he does like me. There are tons of good things to say, which I'm sure he will, however I am nervous about him talking about the incident.</p>

<p>Should I really be worried? I already sent the link through the Common App and stuff, so it's hard to turn back now...</p>

2

<p>I’d at least email him, if you can, and briefly say that you are uncomfortable talking about this in person, but you noted the incident on your common app, and you hope if he mentions the incident, it is more in terms of a learning experience as opposed to a barrier to going to college.</p>

<p>But if you don’t talk to him or email him, but you say he does like you, maybe you should trust his judgement.</p>

<p>The fact that you know he likes you and that this incident is behind you means something.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Am I able to ask to read the letter that he writes? I waived the FERPA thing, but if he agreed, would it be okay for me to read them?</p>

4

<p>Also, do all recommendations need to be submitted before I submit the application? For example, for early action the application is due Nov. 1st. Do they all need to be submitted before Nov. 1st?</p>

5

<p>FERPA prevents you from asking the college to see the rec letter (LoR). This does not bar you from asking the letter writer yourself to look at the LoR. </p>

<p>There’s a little leeway with the deadlines for LoRs but they don’t have to come before your application (although nothing wrong with it – they’ll just put it in a holding file). Ideally, they should get to the college about the same time. </p>