From what I understand, schools don’t want these letters to be yet another list of accomplishments. They want to know what kind of student you are, your potential in the eyes of your teachers, how you get along with fellow students, etc. When asking for a recommendation you should already have in mind the deadlines and requirements. Just ask politely, something like “I need a letter of recommendation from an English teacher who knows me, and I was wondering if you’d consider writing me one.” If they say yes then you should explain the process (e.g. common app online submission, forms, deadlines, etc.) and ask if this is ok. However MAKE SURE YOU ASK EARLY. Some of my teachers took a very long time to do their letters, and some kept forgetting. Also, it’s rude to make them rush through it right before the deadline.
So I assume that it does matter which class you get your recommendations from? like APUSH would be a stronger recommendation than regular math? like that?
So, I want to ask a teacher who is a mentor for a paper I’m writing to write me recs because she’s seen my work, work ethic, really everything she would need to write a rec, but I’ve never (and will never) be her student in a formal class. Is that a problem?
This may be obvious but be sure to ask if the specified individual if they will give you a good, strong recommendation. Agreeing to write a letter is one step - what it says should be compelling and positive to achieve the end result of admission.
One of my teachers wrote a rec letter for a sophomore program I needed it for. Would it be OK to ask the same teacher to write one for college, since he presumably has a good part already done? I’ve had him in the same EC/class for a couple years, and he likes and knows me well.
If it’s a humanities teacher I understand giving past essays to remind the teacher of your work, but what do you give a math/science teacher? Wouldn’t showing them past tests be a little wierd? They already know what kind of grades you’re getting in their class.
@waitingforivy:
I don’t see anything wrong with asking the same teacher for a recommendation. I think it would be strange if you asked him to write you one, and you haven’t had him as a teacher for over a year. However, considering the fact that you still have him as a teacher, I don’t see anything wrong with that.
As far as a math/science teacher, I don’t think it’s necessary to show them past tests. I asked my math teacher this year to write me a college recommendation, and she said yes. I have a ton of paper work to fill out, but nothing more than that. Since they know your grades, I highly doubt that your teacher would want to see old tests and so forth.
I’m a good student, but I don’t interact with them personally. We might say “hi” in the hall, or do small talk if I get to class REALLY early, but that’s it. I’m sure they all like me, but that personal touch is what I’m afraid I will lack in my recommendations.
Ok, so I’m in a bit of a dilemma here. I basically screwed up a lot this year [I’m a junior] and I think it would be really hard for me to get letters of recommendation.
I’m only taking 5 classes. One is an elective class- it wouldnt be appropriate to get a letter there. My chem teacher only has 30 available slots out of 150 students that she teachers, and every single slot is taken. It was stupid— she announced that she was accepting requests to classes on different days, so of course everyone in the earlier classes snagged a spot. My lit teacher and I do not get along. My math teacher will NOT write letters of recs if you ask him. He has to approach the student and give them the OK. My history teacher and French teacher are possible candidates, however; my history teacher is highly popular and also only accepts 30 students. I could try to get a spot but it’s not guaranteed.
Next year I am going to attend class at my local community college [dual enrollment].
I suppose I could try to get recs there? It might work in my favor since these would be college professors and not high school teachers. Yet I am worried about the time constraint, since I don’t even know these teachers.
I’m taking a science class at the community college over the summer, so if I get to know the prof well maybe I could ask him?
I dont even know… does anyone have any insight? Or should I just apply to the UCs? Help!!!
Hey guys I have a little problem. Right now I’m a Junior and I have two teachers I feel are good candidates to write my recs. (I’m a Canadian student trying to apply to Ivies.) One is my **chemistry **teacher, and the other is my **Communications Technology **teacher. My CT teacher really likes and knows me well because I did yearbook for him last year, but I’m worried that Comm Tech won’t be regarded as an academic subject. Will Ivies completely disregard my teacher rec if they don’t think it’s an academic subject? Should I submit my CT teacher as a 3rd one?
But I don’t really know who else I can ask because I only have 2 Arts, English, Math, Physics, Chemistry and French. My Eng teacher retired, my physics teacher is really young and probably cannot write well. French teacher is irresponsible and I don’t really trust him with it. Math teacher is experienced and also nice, but I don’t know how well he can write either.
My chem teacher said she’ll write me a letter but she wants me to write a rough for her to work on. I know the teacher’s reccs are supposed to be personal and anecdotal, so I don’t really know how I can write it for her without being superficial.
If someone could give some insight I’d appreciate it!
@Kalookaloo - It’s okay if you don’t know your teacher that well personally. At my high school, few students are “best friends” with their teacher. Most teachers tend to ask for forms. I think it’s more important that you show that you’re an exceptional student in the classroom and memorable. If you feel uncomfortable asking without them knowing you personally, offer to submit a resume and other supplemental material that will help them write their rec.
@ilikebananas - Ask your history and french teacher now. Don’t wait. Most kids at my high school tend to ask late June/early September. Now is the time. At least you get a definite response and plan out whether you need recs from professors next year. To be honest, you should try asking for recommendations out of the way before October. However, if you do form a special bond with a professor at community college definitely ask.
My case:
My school has 1,500 students. Although I get along very well with my teachers, I’m worried that our interactions are not ‘personal’ enough as for them to write brilliantly personal recs.
Since schools require the recommendations from academic teachers, would my anthropology teacher count? I had her earlier in the year for history but had to switch into another teacher’s class due to scheduling conflicts. Her name won’t show on my transcript next to my history class but it will for anthro.
Yes, anthropology counts. The five academic areas are English, foreign language, science, math and social sciences/history. Anthropology is a social science.
Some Universities have the form to let your teacher or counselors to sign. If not, then ask them to do it in Word process. Hope this helps.
So should I ask for these BEFORE summer break?
Or AFTER summer break, right when school starts?
^I’m wondering this too.
also, if recs submitted with the common app, should I make sure and get a document of it to upload, or will the teacher do that later? And if I ask for recs this year, should I specify which colleges I’m considering? It’s subject to change once I visit in the fall, obviously…
I asked if a teacher was willing to write a Rec next year and it wasn’t nearly as awkward as I feared. Bonus: He was super enthusiastic and made some very nice
compliments about my academic progress and extracurricular work.
Why do we stress so much over silly things?<br>
One more teacher to ask. I’m feeling well set for next year.
I’m currently a junior and here are some of things I found about teacher recs:
1.) Ask early. In fact, ask during the spring of junior year, so the teacher will know that you want them to do your college rec, and can properly focus more attention when you’re in their class and how you perform.
2.) Every teacher is different. Talk to them about how they want to do the rec. Some may want resumes to see what else you’re involved in. Others are only going to consider what you’ve done in their class. Also, talk to them about time: do they want the summer to work on it? Or do they just want it at the beginning of your senior year?
I wonder if any teacher has ever said no to being asked to write a recommendation???
Of course they do! Some say, no, I’m already writing X nunber of letters, or I don’t know you well enough, or I don’t think I can write a strong letter for you.