<p>This may seem like a very obvious question, but how do you guys get to know a teacher well and allowing said teacher get to know you better in return? This would certainly solve the problem of cookie-cutter recs, but how do you get there? </p>
<p>Is it just by participating in class? Or do you just sometimes come by after school and chat? Or...?</p>
<p>Well I mean dont suck up to your teacher, or stalk them during lunch. You can get to know your teacher by participating in class, asking thoughtful questions, be a team leader when working in groups, and continue to do well in their class.</p>
<p>Having one or two questions can do wonders; easy topics are to check if the subject comes up in the news, then ask the teacher what they think about it. (New discovery in physics! how seriously should I take this; cache of 10 more letters of George Washington’s letters discovered! what do you think). Also effective is wondering about a hole in the textbook: usually this book covers Native Americans quite thoroughly, but they’re entirely missing from this chapter about the midwestern frontier. Why…? Etc.</p>
<p>^Pretty much what’s been said. Participate in class, but also stop by after class occasionally to ask questions. The more thoughtful the question the better. If something came up in the news, or if there’s something that you’ve been wondering about that subject, it will make a good discussion topic with your teacher.</p>
<p>Like everyone said, participate in class and ask questions. There are plenty of things to ask about if you think about it. If that goes well, move from school advice to career advice/etc.</p>
<p>Here’s a different way to approach this. Spend a little time looking on the web or in books about college admissions for examples of strong letters of rec. Then ask yourself “how did the teacher know these things about the student?” and that will give you an idea of how to get that kind of rec.</p>
<p>Thank you all for replying! I’ll keep this in mind.</p>