Changing Teachers for Rec Letters: Help?

<p>My son recently let me read a rec letter given to him by one of his teachers. I would say the letter was fairly positive but I was slightly bothered by a few things mentioned. Fortunately, the teacher allowed him read it first and suggest revisions, which he did, but I know confidently that the edited version is still not completely beneficial for him as compared to what another teacher's letter would be, and S feels the same way. </p>

<p>I could not help but strongly advise S to ask for another teacher's recommendation instead. I know that everything he has worked for has led up to college admissions (especially top-tier colleges) and I know he really can't afford to have a weaker letter diminish his chances that would be very good otherwise. </p>

<p>Is this too out of line on our part? I understand that it would be awkward for S to tell the teacher that he will be using another teacher instead, especially after the work put in, but I would really hate myself if come decisions day, S is potentially rejected and I would never know if it was this letter that "caused" it--particularly if I told him to stick with the same teacher. Has this situation ever happened before? Honestly, I just feel that no one is perfect and everyone has his/her flaws, but when you are "recommending" someone, they are kept to a minimum.</p>

<p>Thank you for any thoughts.</p>

<p>What’s the process for submitting recommendation letters? Maybe he won’t have to tell the teacher anything . . . If two letters of recommendation are required, just ask two other teachers. Also get a copy of the less than glowing letter from this teacher . . . but don’t submit it. The teacher need never know.</p>

<p>If the process involves the teacher handing the letter directly to the guidance counselor or some other official, perhaps try having a private word with the GC? I definitely would avoid straight out saying, “Your letter isn’t good enough” . . . but there is also NO WAY I would send in a subpar letter when there are better options.</p>

<p>Thank you, Naturally, for your advice. Yes, all his materials will be sent from the GC so it would be a bit difficult to maneuver trying to keep the teacher from knowing–but it was a good idea that I didn’t think of, so thank you for that. That also definitely confirms that I will tell S to change.</p>

<p>Does anybody else know of a situation like this? Would it be completely rude to inform the teacher that S is switching, even if the teacher may understand the reasons for it?</p>

<p>Is this for real? I was under the impression that recommendations were always given directly to GC’s or submitted online to Common App–I didn’t think students ever got to see them, let alone suggest edits.</p>

<p>^ Yes, depending on the teacher, some may allow the students to read it first–as long as the student doesn’t ask for it and the teacher offers willingly.</p>

<p>Tristan, how fortunate for your S that he got to read this letter! Naturally gives great advice. Definitely ask S to ask for other letter, and speak to the GC about choosing the best 2 letters to send to colleges.</p>

<p>Some teachers, unfortunately, just aren’t the best spokesmen. Your S’s teacher means well, and is open to suggestions for a rewrite. The revision may be sood, but no harm in having a third letter on file.</p>

<p>Can you tactfully ask the GC about it? He/she may feel the same way you do about the letter.</p>

<p>Don’t know how it works at other schools but my son asked three teachers for letters, all of which he was allowed to see. He then asked the guidance dept. secretary to only send two of the letters, and also asked those two teachers to submit online to Common App. - at our small rural high school we seem to be the only ones using the online rec. part of the Common App. - everyone else relied on the guidance dept. to mail them out. </p>

<p>Anyway, I don’t see how the third teacher had any way of knowing that his letter wasn’t sent. Some teachers are just not good at writing letters, and if it isn’t great, don’t use it.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone, for the great ideas and advice. Yes, I am just so thankful and relieved that S got to see this letter before it was sent out.</p>

<p>S told me that he is going to tell the first teacher that he won’t be using the letter because both he and the teacher know there were some conflicts, and it would seem strange if he suddenly agreed to the revision. However, he has checked with another teacher who has happily obliged, so I just hope everything turns out okay. </p>

<p>Thank you for so many suggestions - It really made this process easier!</p>

<p>DS had three teachers write letters and selected which letters for which schools based on the specific school and application… English teacher for writing-focused LAC, science teacher for a research-oriented scholarship, another from a teacher who was an alum at one of the schools on his list. I don’t think that any of the teachers cared which recommendations he sent to which schools.</p>