<p>Looking at all these "stat" posts on here, I'm seeing that most people put down their teacher recommendations as well ("glowing," "top of career," etc.). Do you get to read your recs before you apply to colleges, or are you just making educated guesses on the content? I'm really curious because my school didn't really cover the recommendation process after the Who and How to Ask...Blah Blah Blah lecture. Do most schools (I go to a small private, if that makes any difference) filter recs through the college counselors or let the students read them over?</p>
<p>It depends on your school. At our school all the teachers give them to the students who then give them to the guidance department, and for the most part it's because they would rather you read them I think. Though in other schools it's obviously going to be different, I would figure that a teacher who wrote 50+ recommendations would just give them all to guidance and have them deal with it rather than handing out to each student, or other teachers my question ethics in letting the students see it. So it depends no how your school functions.</p>
<p>Some teachers seal them and give you a copy to look at, while others do not give you a copy.</p>
<p>My Spanish teacher actually had me read it before she finished it.</p>
<p>My counselor did it for me, and she said "here i finished it, you might want to have a look", i look at it: </p>
<p>Jack is a good student with above avg calibers in performing school work. I have heard he is a very good student, however because i don't feel i know him well (we knew each other for 2 years!!!, i was one of the top students at my hs, with the MOST ECs of anyone! most awards won for the school in academic areas), i don't feel that i can comment on his ability to perform in college, please refer to his teacher's recs. for further info.</p>
<p>:(
what are you suppose to do when a counselor writes something like that? I guess she was annoyed by my request for recommendation, because i was the only student applying to US schools.
It almost makes me feel like the character from Orange County, where the counselor is irresponsible.</p>
<p>Isn't there a confidentiality waiver you are supposed to sign?</p>
<p>What about for schools who keep their matriculating students' records? Can you go and pick them up at the admissions? Will everything be there?</p>
<p>At my school, no students are allowed to see their letters of recommendation unless they request them from the admissions office of Whatever U post-matriculation. I guess our administration wants teachers to be able to give frank opinions (for better or worse for the students).</p>
<p>the waiver on the Common App reccomendation forms waives your right to see the copy of the reccomendation that gets sent to the college, if you happen to go to that college.</p>
<p>I guess it may be possible to see your rec before its sent, depending on how your teacher does it.</p>