Have questions? Ask an Andover Freshmen!!

<p>Hey I didn’t know where else to look for advice on my recs again. They are stressing me out. I still can’t work up the confidence to ask this one teacher.</p>

<pre><code> Usually I have done well in my algebra 2 class but recently I have been doing terribly in one particular lesson, failing a quiz, and getting a D on a test, but I still maintain an A-. I am so nervous to ask my math teacher for a rec because of this. I am not afraid that she will write a bad rec just what she might think of me applying to boarding school. Like because i havent done well on the test in a class here that i’m overestimating my ability to get in to a good boarding school. I don’t know. maybe I’m just paranoid. But what would you do?
</code></pre>

<p>She really intimidates me and is super busy and it’s really hard to find her to ask about it when there is no one around.</p>

<p>i would just stay after class and ask her. i was actually worried about the same thing for my english teacher but then i just gave it to her after i got a really good grade on an essay and went in multiple times for extra help just to show that im persistent. so depending on you, you might want to wait or might not.</p>

<p>and @swimdude006, was your last comment directed at my question or no?</p>

<p>Hi, I was just wondering if volunteering and stuff is really important because I didn’t volunteer for anything. Like, at all. I don’t have ANY volunteer hours. Is it really important? Or is it ok if I have like, lots of recs and stuff? This is really bothering me, and I’d really feel better if I knew how much that affects my application.</p>

<p>Thanx so much for your help! <3</p>

<p>@Binghulu – No, swimdude006’s last comment was directed towards me, haha.</p>

<p>Okay do you think I am cutting it too close? Will she have enough time?</p>

<p>helloel: CALM DOWN! it’s ok if you’re nervous about getting recommendations: everyone is. Just find time before/after class and ask politely if he/she can give you a recommendation. My teacher even emphasised “You know I don’t have to give you a recommendation” after I asked, yet she still wrote one for me in the end. Just approach him/her and ask with confidence. A bad test grade won’t hurt your recommendation. maybe go in for extra help, and then the next day ask for a recommendation? this mite ease your mind a little. Just be calm, and ask. That’s the best advice I can give!</p>

<p>LiveForMusic: I’ve never volunteered in my life, so no, it is not a requirement. All it does is look good on the application. Think of it as a nice yet unnecessary condiment to an entree :D</p>

<p>@helloel – I don’t think it’s much to worry about, really. I was always scared of asking my math teacher for a recommendation, because even though I’m in the highest math class offered for my grade, math is by no means my strongest subject, nor am I the best in my class. I had an A- average in that class, actually (B test grades, but almost everything else – my quizzes, which he offered a lot more of, were in the A’s range), for first quarter. I finally gained the nerve to go and talk to him just before the break, and to my surprise, he was super duper nice about it! I was really happy.</p>

<p>Anyway, it shouldn’t take that long for a teacher to write a recommendation either.</p>

<p>Good luck!! :)</p>

<p>Hey swimdude006,
Do you think the individual subject (per each section) SSAT percentiles matter more than the overall percentile? (I just got mine yesterday)
Thanks!</p>

<p>Does the percentage matter more than the score?
And also, how many personal recommendations did you have for each?</p>

<p>sandol1010: I would say that the overall percentile matters more than each individual score. I got like 95 percentile in math and reading, but a 70 in the verbal. Don’t stress the ssat too much though, it really isn’t the most important.</p>

<p>Binghulu262: Percentile is relative to your score, so they are basically the same. And I had 1 personal recommendation for Deerfield, and 3 for Andover</p>

<p>Would being bilingaul be considered as a hook?</p>

<p>My mum and I have been debating it for awhile; I say no, she says most definitely.</p>

<p>Depends on which language.</p>

<p>Myshkaful and Binghulu626: thanks! I’m in high school so I think my teachers reaction might be different because it implies that I’m possibly leaving
Swimdude006: thank you that is exactly what I needed to hear! I just realized that I’m going to have to do it eventually and that it’s best to ask earlier so I’m going to ask tomorrow I no one is in her room. Ive waited because she’s been busy even though no ones in there but I’m just going to have to stop her and ask her if I can talk to her for a second.</p>

<p>Yeah def ask around now. I mean they’ll def have enough time to get it in even if u gave it in mid December but it’s a procedure thing. Oh I’m in hs too. Wat grade r u applying to?</p>

<p>Bilingual is def good but only if you’re fluent.</p>

<p>Currently I’m a sophomore and I can’t decide if I should apply as a repeat sophomore or a junior. What about you?</p>

<p>You probably should apply as a repeat sophomore. It’s extremely difficult to get into any of the schools as a junior.</p>

<p>helloel: I wouldn’t repeat based on the acceptance factor, but more so because of the actual BS experience. If you come upper year, you will be immediately swamped with work and pressured by SATs. This will give you no leeway for exploration of the school. Applying as a lower will definitely aleviate some stress, and also give you time to assimilate to the BS lifestyle imo.</p>