<p>My dream is to attend Cornell AAP and I have a science teacher that offered to write me a college recommendation. He really likes me because I drew a picture of his dog that he had to give away (seeing eye dog) and apparently everytime his wife looks at it she cries (good thing?). He is a really smart guy and a Cornell graduate but I had him as a teacher in 9th grade for Advanced Living Enviroment (a mandatory waste of time). Do you think I should have him write me a recommendation even though he taught a 9th grade regents level class (no honors in 9th grade - small school)? </p>
<p>Can I get "bonus points" with Cornell if an alumni writes me a great rec?</p>
<p>PS: i copied and pasted the same thing i wrote in my stats post because i didnt get any replies about it so i thought i'd make it its own thread</p>
<p>Great accomplishments. I really like your drawings/paintings. I don’t know if you’d get “bonus points” with Cornell if an alum writes you a great rec. It may carry more weight than your other recs because it is almost like an interview on paper. This can be a great asset if he/she mentions that you will fit in exceptionally. If you bump up your SAT score I think you have a great chance (esp. with that architecture internship- did you get that started? It will truly give you insight on whether you are interested or not. Cornell is great for architecture). Also with Cornell, you should try Carnegie Mellon- great school for architecture.</p>
<p>For the record I didn’t really check out your stats so I can’t comment on your chances…As far as the recommendation goes, most admissions officers I’ve heard speak (at info sessions and such) say simply that you should ask a teacher who will be able to write the best rec for you. The fact that your science teacher taught you freshman year shouldn’t deter you from asking him. If he can comment most accurately (and, hopefully, most glowingly), then he is the best candidate.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you haven’t kept in contact with him, his recommendation my be a little flaky. Most high school seniors would say with relative assurance that they have changed quite a bit since freshman year and if you haven’t stayed in touch it might not work in your favor; I would fear having a recommendation that starts with “I hadn’t been spoken with _____ for 2 years until she asked me for this letter…”</p>
<p>I think a lot of colleges ask (or at least recommend) that you ask a junior year teacher to write your rec - I was planning on asking my history teacher from sophomore year, but Georgetown, for example, won’t allow it. Change of plans for me :(</p>
<p>I’m not familiar with SAT reporting rules. Are you able to use the ACT (which on the equivalency table is SAT 1400-1430 - 2 part) and <em>not</em> report the SAT? If so, don’t bother taking the SAT again.</p>
<p>Your stats are right in the middle of Cornell’s applicant pool. Why wouldn’t you have a good shot?</p>