<p>How can I get over the fear for asking for recs... I haven't asked any of my two teachers for recs, mostly because I think they will roll their eyes and say no...
The history teacher, I'm not extremely close to, but I was active in her class more than the other classes.Since she only teaches juniors, I'm afraid if she will say no!</p>
<p>You don't have to worry! It's the teacher's job to write recommendations, and unless you were a complete brat, failed the class, or didn't do any homework.. etc... you have no reason to worry.</p>
<p>Why would you worry, if you are worrying then that is not the right teacher to give it to, no? They should know you well, and you should be comfortable with them. </p>
<p>Thats just what I think, but if she is your only choice, go for it. You only got one shot, so dive into it.</p>
<p>Just ask. I mean if you know your teacher at all they should be cool with it really.</p>
<p>I asked my junior-year math for a rec. It wasn't all that hard. All you have to do is get up, go to them and say, "Hi, I was wondering if you could write me a recommendation for my college applications..." and get the ball rolling.</p>
<p>^What if she says no or says "I'll think about it"?</p>
<p>Should I ask her when I see her in her halls, should I email her for appointment and then ask her then, or should I just walk in to her office when she might be busy and other faculty around and just ask her? so stressed out! I did ask her to write my harvard summer school reccomendation, but college rec is so much bigger and more important!</p>
<p>If she says no, then just thank her anyway..I can hardly imagine anyone saying "I'll think about it" for a rec, those I have seen were all yes. One of my classmates got a "no" after an initial yes because the teacher he asked caught him drinking.</p>
<p>ask if the teacher can write you a positive recommendation-- not just any. That way they have an easy out if they are not comfortable with writing one.</p>
<p>Actually i think it's better to ask if they can write you a STRONG rec.</p>
<p>as earlier posters have pointed out, it is very important to ask a prospective evaluator whether they can write a positive letter for you. This is always appropriate, phrased politely of course. EVERY student should do this when asking for letters of rec. For example, "Am I a student you would write a strong letter of reccomendation for, or do you suggest I ask someone else?" Don't argue or question why if the answer is ask someone else, simply to thank the teacher for their honest answer.</p>
<p>If you could ask every teacher you ever had for their opinion, for most students the result would be mixed bag. And sometimes a teacher you assume would like a kid (due to a high grade, for example) sees things differently. There is no shame or dishonor in deliberately selecting those who hold a favorable opinion to write a rec.</p>
<p>While it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. I know someone who was on the alumin scholarship committee for a well-known U and they regularly received letters of "rec" for the full-tuition scholarship that raked the kid over the coals. In the book "The Gatekeepers" in which a reporter for the NY Times followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan (a top LAC) for a year is a real-world example of a bad rec.
[quote]
There were times, I must admit,that I thought Tiffany might have taken a stronger interest in mastering the material in our course. When I saw that Tiffany was a National Merit Semi-Finalist I was a bit surprised. While clearly bright and competent, I had seen in Tiffany neither an exceptional skill for testing nor a particular affinity for the subject.
[/quote]
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.</p>
<p>Bob, you're a senior in HS. You're going to have to start doing things like this, even if you're not comfortable with them. In fact, I'd guess to say your fears are holding you back not just in this but in many other areas of your life. You're imagining all these worst-case scenarios, and there's 2 problems with that. First, they're unlikely to actually occur. Second, even if they did you'd survive much better than you think right now; it won't be the end of the world.</p>
<p>I looked at some of your earlier posts and you're looking at top schools like the Ivies. Just my opinion here, but those kids will eat you alive. Those schools are filled with self-starters and self-assured kids who are not afraid to ask their teachers for a req.</p>
<p>^then should I just ask a teacher my senior year?</p>
<p>Well, if this teacher wrote me an evaluation for my harvard summer school and I got in, wouldn't it mean that her evaluation was more positive than negative? If it was really bad, I don't think I would have gotten into harvard summer school (I think they actually do look at them if they require it...)</p>
<p>yes, they are going to bite your head and hands off if you ask them! so don't ask anyone for recs and don't apply to college! jk</p>
<p>Give yourself a deadline, and a reward when you've done the asking. Keep reminding yourself that if you don't ask early, a teacher may have too many recommendations to write and have to say, "No."</p>
<p>My son delayed asking a department head for a recommendation for a summer program. The man went out of town and didn't have time to do the letter before he left. My son was waitlisted, then denied, for his program because they hadn't received all the application materials by the deadline. That was a lesson learned the hard way. Don't let it happen to you.</p>
<p>Most tecahers are pretty kind, if you show respect when asking for a rec. Don't worry too much, just ask gently!</p>
<p>Ok, I asked two teachers today...One was my calculus teacher, and she said she would be willing to do it, but she said she isn't a great writer. The other history teacher said yes to my request, but then before I asked her about the rec she commented that in my current AP euro teacher might will actually get me to speak more... I participated in her class, which isn't saying much, but it was more than my other classes. Also, last year, someone in the class asked if she wrote bad things on recommendations and she says "I write nice things"... Was it a mistake in asking her then or do you think she will concentrate on other parts other than participation? I really can't ask my spanish teacher (he commented on my lack of pariticpation on my report card and in writing) because he is at a different job and I participated less than history...</p>
<p>Try to read between the lines here. It sounds like you are on the shy side, and haven't been an active participant in class discussions. I would bet that last year's history teacher mentions that. Would the rest of her recommendation be positive?</p>
<p>If you have doubts, focus on this year's class. Speak up in EVERY DISCUSSION. I know the agony of appearing foolish (I was very shy in HS also.) However, if you listen to your classmates, you'll notice that they often say dumb things and the ceiling doesn't fall on them. You should prepare a few questions or points of interest while you do your homework. This is how you'll prepare for meetings later in life.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of majoring in math or a related field, your math teacher's rec is an important one. Talk to your calculus teacher a little more. Math teachers aren't supposed to be literary standouts, so the fact that she isn't a great writer isn't important. Ask her if she "would write you a strong recommendation to college X." Listen carefully to the reply.</p>
<p>This is more complicated than one would think, isn't it? However, it's good practice for the future, and teachers are usually looking out for your best interests. Take it one step at a time, and congratulate yourself for getting an early start.</p>