<p>So, our Guidance Department basically gives us these things called "Brag Sheets" which we need to fill out to give to both our Guidance Counselors and to our teachers who are writing our letters of recommendation. </p>
<p>The sheet itself is basically just a bunch of questions that force you to explain why you think you're God's gift to the planet. The whole idea of college recommendations is basically asking someone to take time out of their life to write to a college as to why xyz teacher thinks you're fantastic. </p>
<p>I don't know, it seems awkward. "Pls tell harvard I'm awesome Mr. Brown, pls." </p>
<p>One question was like; “Do you have any short term goals which would be of interest to your teacher?” and I was like “nothing in my life would actually interest my AP World teacher… he’s well aware that I’m lame-sauce.” but I ended up writing down something about doing Model UN related activities in college or something.</p>
<p>I think they’re stupid…if I ask a teacher for a recommendation, I already have an idea of what I want them to write, and now they’re just going to write some asinine thing about the three words that best describe me?!?</p>
<p>@halcyonheather - Oh God - “Three to four words that describe you as a student.” And I end up putting “diligent, meticulous, trustworthy” or something. I wanted my teacher to write about genuine, unique qualities that I have but now my rec is just going to be a laundry list of “nice” overly vague things about me. “Preamble was a hardworking student. She always did her homework on time. She performed well on tests.” Gag me.</p>
<p>Wow, you have to fill out those things at your school? At my school, I’m pretty sure it’s just up to you to find a teacher and ask for a rec. Not sure if we have to write something for our counselors, though…</p>
<p>The thing for our counselor is a lot different - its basically explaining anything you need explained to colleges regarding your family situation, your grades, etc - so for instance, if you have to watch younger siblings everyday, you need to make the GC aware of this so she can explain why you lack stable extracurriculars - or if for whatever reason, you have a D on your transcript from Freshman Algebra but you’re normally a straight A student but it was because of circumstances out of your control, then that can be explained as well. </p>
<p>The teacher one is just stupid. Your teacher should know you well enough to write a decent letter if you thought that this teacher was the right choice to do it in the first place. Like, I’m not going to go to my Biology H teacher from Freshman year and ask for a recommendation letter when I barely stuck out in that class and barely got an A-.</p>
“Preamble was a hardworking student. She always did her homework on time. She performed well on tests.” Gag me.</p>