Debate on a Bad Teacher Recommendation....

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

Hey everyone,

I got three teacher recs from some of my all-time favorite teachers. The only problem is that at a University of Michigan Info-Session visit today at my school, they said they really only prefer two letters of recommendations. The recruiter cited the fact that the admissions officers (coincidently, she was one too) often get “bored,” “tired” or find the letters to be repetitive. Thus, two was more than sufficient for anyone at this admission review to get a general picture of me.

Now for some back story. Two of my three teachers did their due diligence and gave me a letter already. I had a chance to read both. One was incredible and clearly heartfelt. The other, in layman’s terms, is crappy. Not to scrutinize my previous teacher, but it needs to be done. The words are very repeating and it doesn’t add a whole lot of new information. I was expecting my teacher to put in a lot more effort but she didn’t and I am stuck with an average letter of recommendation. I never asked her to fix it with my changes since she is a law and order type of person. The third letter of recommendation will be done soon and my teacher, whom I have again as a senior, is writing it. I know that she can write great letters that speak volume. Also, I will get an opportunity to double check it and make any changes or corrections. This basically means that if my teacher doesn’t pull weight, then I can.

My question is, should I drop the bad letter of recommendation just to be safe and even give my admission officers a break ( which would be a plus) or keep it on my common app? Also, there is a twist. The bad letter is already submitted so my common app has it on file. Would my teacher get a notification if I drop it or will the colleges I apply to know that I dropped the essay (implies I read it and thus means my right to waive FERPA was pointless)?

Thank you so much to whoever give advice in this very stressful era of my life.

  • UofMichigan1999
2

Note, I also want to add that a lot of people are saying that I have a 50-50 of getting into the University of Michigan.
Going of off the main six criteria the recruiter said, this is how I stack up.

  • I have a good GPA (below average for them) ~ 3.71 Weighted, 3.62 unweighted. My weighted GPA shows an upward/semi-constant trend but my unweighted shows a downward trend)
  • I have a good ACT score ~ 31 (in the middle 50%)
    I am expecting a really nice SAT score too (1450+)
  • I have incredible class rigor because I have always be placed into harder classes than usually peers.
  • I show leadership, commitment, and passion in my extracurriculars
  • My essays are easily better than average and maybe even top 15% according to some English teachers (one whom is writing me a letter)
  • I have at least two great teacher recs.

I am saying this to prove that every little factor counts. Please help!
Thanks again.

  • UofMichigan1999
3

Definitely drop the letter. Useless to keep it in. I think only guidance counselor notices if u drop it. Check in with your guidance counselor to be sure though

4

Drop it. If they only read 1 or 2, don’t leave to chance that it might be that one.

5

Agree, drop the letter… I’m kind of glad my D did not see hers, therefore less stress about it…

6

I honestly cannot conceive of a situation where you would elect to submit a bad or weak letter of recommendation. That said, most colleges are used to reading how brilliant every applicant is, so they treat them all with a degree of wariness.

7

Ok, thanks! Dropped the letter and no worries about it.