How to ask teacher if they would write a good recommendation??

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys,
So there's a teacher I'm considering asking for a recommendation, but I'm not sure if she would write a good one. Here's the situation. Including next year, I will have had her for 5 courses, and I've had her since freshmen year. I don't really know her extremely well, but she teaches the course that I want to major in in college. I feel like I should ask her for a recommendation because I've had her for so many years and the course she teaches is the one I really enjoy, but I'm not sure if she would write me a good recommendation. She adored me freshmen year, but during sophomore year I kind of talked a lot in class.</p>

<p>First of all, should I ask her for a recommendation or should I ask another teacher?</p>

<p>Second of all, if I should ask her for a recommendation, how could I ask her if she would write a good one? I don't want to be super pushy or anything but I want to make sure she won't hurt my application. I'm looking into applying to top ivies so this is really important.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Just adk directly: are you willing to write me a strong rec?</p>

3

<p>^Agree with Waverly. Don’t take risks. And nothing wrong with asking directly.</p>

4

<p>Thanks. Do you think I should ask her for a recommendation? I think after I talked a lot during class last year her opinion of me changed… She doesn’t necessarily dislike me but I think she’s just indifferent now.</p>

5

<p>My younger daughter asker for 3 recommendation letters. I asked her GC to read them, asked her if they were strong recommendation letters and asked her to submit 2 best ones.</p>

6

<p>@oldfort that’s a really good idea. I don’t think anyone has done that at my school before, but I can try. Not sure if my gc will allow it, but that’s definitely a good way to ensure I get solid recommendations. Thanks!</p>

7

<p>Don’t dance around or try to post-screen letters. It takes time to write them and no teacher is going to be happy to hear from their pal the counselor you tossed their letter. Just be direct and ask! See, for example, [Asking</a> for a Recommendation Letter – How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter](<a href=“http://collegelife.about.com/od/academiclife/ht/RecommendationLetter.htm]Asking”>Thanking a Professor for Writing a Recommendation Letter)</p>

8

<p>I didn’t think about it from that view - good point. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. Thanks mikemac!</p>

9

<p>I agree that you should simply just ask “are you willing to write me a strong rec.”. But after they agree you should outline what it is you want them to write. For example “thank you so much. I know you have a good idea of my ability to contribute to a class discussion or writing ability or commitment to extra curriculars etc. so I’m so thankful you’ve agreed to write the letter for me”. Either say it in person or a follow-up thank you letter/email.</p>

10

<p>Some colleges take more than 2. It is not uncommon to have 3+ LORs.</p>