<p>Just wondering, I havn’t submitted my Math teacher and English teacher reccommendations because…well I wasn’t exactly on the best of terms with those two teachers my junior year 
so I’m waiting for the beginning of my senior year and use those teachers. For the September board meet, you think that’s disqualifying for an LOA to not have those in yet?</p>
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<p>It will, atleast it did in my case specifically. My junior English teacher left after the end of the year, it since she was one of the few teachers I legitimately disliked (the feeling was mutual) I really didn’t attempt to get a hold of her. Because of that I didn’t get looked at early enough in the year and wasn’t able to have an loa going into my congressional interview, which in that particular year stopped me from getting my nom from him. Luckily I was still able to get one and make it on the first try, but to answer your question more specifically I was told by admissions officer that unless your score is in the 750 range for that subject, your packet will not get looked at prior to having those letters.</p>
<p>As a general rule, USNA wants to see both teacher recs before extending an LOA. I can’t say that, if everything else looks great, it won’t happen. However, understand that you will need to wait a bit into your senior year to get a meaningful rec from your new teacher. If your teacher says he/she has taught your for one or two months, it’s not going to carry as much weight as someone who worked with you for an entire year. </p>
<p>Second point, please do not obsess over LOAs. I know they are great to have but not having one does not in any way mean you won’t get an appointment.</p>
<p>I thought I remembered that the teachers could be from any year of high school? Which should give you three to pick from!</p>
<p>The USNA specifically requests recommendations from 11th grade math and english teachers.</p>
<p>I would suggest speaking to the teachers directly and explain your desire to attend the academy, as well as the weight their recommendations carry. I would ask them, politely but straight-forward, if they feel they could support you with a positive recommendation, and if not, you would appreciate (and understand) their decision to decline- rather than submit a negative evaluation. See what happens - if you get a postive response, great. If not, thank them and move on.</p>
<p>If you do end up using 12 grade math and english teachers, you may be asked why. Then again, you may not be asked- but I would be prepared for that question nevertheless.</p>
<p>My bad. The suggestion to talk to the teacher is an excellent one. But, gosh, 2010, if the teacher says they cannot give you a positive recommendation, then the applicant is kind of hung out to dry. Should it play out that way, I would think it would be more defensible (sp?) to use a 10th grade teacher or even a 9th grade teacher who might know you better than the 12th grade one so early in the year (or even before the year starts!)</p>
<p>I have to think that limiting it to the 11th grade english and math teachers could be kind of constraining for lots of candidates. Hmmmmm…</p>
<p>USNA wants the most updated information possible, thus 11th grade teachers. They are the year most representative of the candidate- 9th and 10th grade are too remote, and 12th grade will have limited exposure. </p>
<p>If a candidate cannot get an 11th grade math teacher, or if the recommendation is not looking positive, I would suggest the candidate speak to the department chair and see if he/she can write a letter of recommendation. If that is not possible, then opt for 12th grade, but that will be scrutinized depending on how much time has elapsed in that grade before the recommendation is submitted. If that is not possible, default to the 10th grade teacher- but USNA is going to want to know “why.” </p>
<p>As for constraining a lot of candidates- not my rules. It is what it is, and candidates have to make the best of it. Truth be told, they are the ones that earn the recommendations, positive or otherwise, so if anyone is hung out to dry, often times* it is the candidate that is at fault. </p>
<p>*Often times- meaning, their are other times where a candidate encounters a teacher out there that is negative about the military, and the service academies fall right under that umbrella. If that is the case, the candidate should go elsewhere for the recommendation- but it would be something I would encourage the candidate to make note of either on their application, or during their BGO interview (the BGO can then make note of that on their evaluation of the candidate). Again, it goes back to being able to speak to a recommendation from someone other than the 11th grade math and English teacher.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, 11th grade English and 11th grade Math classes are more representative of college expectations than those of 9th and 10th grade. </p>
<p>Thus the teachers of the 11th grade classes can attest to the ability of the student to handle the pressure of higher-level work. Civilian colleges place greater emphasis on the performance of students in traditional junior level courses over the achievements in 9th and 10th grade also. </p>
<p>I can understand not being on great terms with one teacher, but two (out of perhaps 5)? Ouch. The advice given above should be given careful consideration if you absolutely cannot get a positive recommendation from your junior level teachers.</p>
<p>Good Luck.
CM</p>
<p>Teachers aren’t idiots. Those who teach 11th grade know they will be called upon to write college recommendations and know how important they are to a student’s future. You would hope that they would provide a fair and balanced evaluation of the student’s abilities, even if they personally didn’t like the student.</p>
<p>If you had a problem with your teacher, consider whether it is something that will be reflected in an evaluation. I write evaluations all the time – whether I like or dislike someone personally doesn’t enter into it – performance does. Only you know the situation with your particular teacher. Is it a personality thing where you did well but didn’t see eye-to-eye? Did you not put forth any effort in the class? The latter shouldn’t make a difference with a fair-minded teacher; the latter would and should.</p>
<p>And, understand that one negative rec is unlikely in and of itself to make or break an application. CGO personnel also aren’t idiots. They know that sometimes teachers and students don’t gel. It depends on what the teacher says and how he/she supports his/her views. As I said, if you never turned in your assignments on time and were a goofball in class, that will come back to haunt you. A rec that can’t substantiate views with facts won’t carry as much weight.</p>
<p>Finally, I’m not sure you want to ask someone if he/she can give you a “good” rec – the question is whether the person can evaluate you fairly.</p>
<p>I am a high school teacher, and I can tell you that the best course of action is to ask the teacher if they would be willing and could write a favorable recommendation. Take the opportunity to change the teacher’s perception of you. They should tell you the truth. Give your English teacher a copy of your Academy application essay so he/she will know why you want to attend.</p>
<p>Does anyone know why USNA admissions would set up an in home interview prior to the completion of the application with an officer that is not the BOG in the first week of August?</p>
<p>AP …mind if I ask. What is your subject area?</p>
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<p>The admissions board will flag your record for an interview as soon as you have 50% of your application complete. Usually the interview defaults to your BGO, but there are “BGO assistants” [not sure of the official title, but they are BGOs in the pipeline, but have yet to attend official training] - anyway, it is possible to have your interview scheduled with them. </p>
<p>Where the interview takes place is up to each BGO and their candidate.</p>
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<p>The Regional Directors do travel in the summer especially and do conduct home visits. So do Diversity Admissions Officers. It may be that one of them is in your area and thinks you are worth a visit – based on your packet to date, the school or geographic area you represent, or other factors. I would take it as a general positive and definitely do the meeting if at all possible.</p>
<p>WP
I teach AP US Government and Politics, and AP European History. I have found your posts to be extremely helpful.</p>
<p>USNA 1985
Thank you. That is likely the case. We are so thankful to have this wealth of information available. Your input is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>When you apply, should you just have the English and Math teachers? Because it turns out that my history teacher is famous and has written many great history books. He really likes me, would it be good to also include him in the recommendations?</p>
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<li><p>You need your Eng and Math teachers, and the requested year, no/rare exception.</p></li>
<li><p>RE: Your history teacher, use him in ADDITION to the others ONLY if his is uniquely compelling for you as a candidate to USNA and/or lends some remarkably fresh, exceptional insight to your application. Do not use him simply because of his fame, name recognition, or that he sees you as a cool cat/good guy. And that might be true even if he’s written a Nimitz biography. ;)</p></li>
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<p>Now, it he IS a Nimitz … :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Consider using that history teacher for your recommendations for nominations from MOC’s. That process can be as harrowing as the USNA application.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me where to find the requirement that recommendations must come from junior year teachers? Altrhough I can see why it would be a preference, I can’ t find it specifically mentioned as a requirement in any of the instructions.</p>