Hey guys so i’m supposed to be asking teachers around this time of year to put my name down on a list so that they can write me a letter of rec for next year, but my question is which teachers should I choose? I would just like to know what helped people determine which teachers to ask to write and also how much weight do these letters have on the whole process? Do you guys choose teachers whose classes you’ve done well in, or teachers who have taught classes that you’ve struggled in. Do you pick teachers who teach subjects closely related to your intended major or should you give more of a breadth? Thank you!
Every student asking for recs should ask the teacher(s) whether they can write a positive letter for you. This is always appropriate, phrased politely of course. 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.
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 alumni 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 Gatekeepers”,in which a NY Times reporter followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan for a year, is a real-world example of a bad rec. Obviously when the student asked for a rec she assumed it would be positive, but here is what she got:
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.
That’s good advice.
It’s also very important that you get recs from teachers who know you and like you. Don’t just go for the teacher who gave you the A+ or whatever; go for the teacher you’ve spoken with outside of class, the one who coaches your volleyball team, the one who’s kid you babysat.
Great rec letters are anecdotal. That means the teacher has to have specific stories about you. If the letter says little more than " @arios98o is smart and hard working," then it adds nothing that your transcript doesn’t already communicate.
We were fortunate to ask advice from friends and parents, especially those students who had older siblings who graduated in recent years. Also, the guidance counsellors will know who writes a great letter, and which teachers wrote letters with a less than stellar track record.
Back when I was in high school, our physics teacher was also my track coach, so it was a natural for me to ask him, as he knew me best of all my teachers.
If you are still struggling, think about which teachers you may have had for more than one or two classes.
In many cases, you may be better off avoiding the teacher who has only been teaching for a year or two, in a class where her tests/quizzes often had spelling errors, and then she left on maternity leave and you only saw her 2 of 10 months.
S and D both wrote nice thank-you letters to their teachers who wrote them glowing rec letters. Some of D’s friends gave their teachers’ gift cards.
My GC asked me to choose 2- one is my US teacher I will have for psych next year and the 2nd is my Spanish teacher for the past 2 years. She said both especially my Spanish teacher write excellent rec’s.
Last year I wrote 40 letters, the year before 38. (I’m getting off easy this year, since somehow I’ve missed teaching all but a single class of the current Juniors. But next year I’ll get slammed again, since I’ve had the current sophs two years in a row.)
Keep in mind, many majors will request/demand that you ask a math or English teacher, or someone from the field you’re majoring in.
What you want is a teacher who knows you. I’ve written any number of letters for kids whose grades in my class weren’t the highest, but who showed such a wonderful work ethic that I was able to gush. In fact, a few weeks ago I submitted a LOR for a student I tutor. I’ve known him since he was 3, and his mom and I are friends. He wants to teach math some day, and I’ve tutored him in math on and off for a few years. I actually volunteered to write the letter, since I can speak to his native ability, his work ethic, his demeanor, and so many other things that a classroom teacher may not see.
When you do request a letter, PLEASE include a resume of sorts. Let me know what you do outside class, what you’re hoping to major in, where you see yourself in 10 years… anything you think I may be able to use.
I’ve had some kids choose me because they loved my class. That’s wonderful, but it doesn’t always provide me with what I need to say the right things. Tell me what you’ve gained from my class. Tell me what you did when the work got challenging, how you found a way to pull up shaky grades.
As to a poor recommendation: I think I speak for the vast majority of teachers when I say that most would let a kid know that the recommendation won’t be as positive as they would prefer. If a teacher says to you: “Am I really the best you can do?” it’s a sign that the letter won’t be shining. (And I’ve said that exactly once to a student. She did nothing all year but aced the final. All that said to me was that she had the ability and chose not to use it. She asked someone else and got a better letter than I could have truthfully written.)
We’re in education because we care about our kids. But we will not lie on a letter. Our professional reputation is at stake. I will package the truth as nicely as I can, but it will be the truth.
Please, Juniors, start NOW to ask. It really does take some time to craft the type of letter you want me to write. (Nope, I do NOT repackage an old letter. I think too highly of the kids I teach to cheat that way.)
Thanks everyone for the feedback!
must the teacher serve at the current school? I have a teacher that could write a really good one for me however she moved to another school across the street last year.
Absolutely not. Her change in jobs has nothing to do with her recommendation of you as a student.
Also be aware that if you are applying to a STEM program you may need to ask a math or science teacher for one.
I’m planning on majoring in International Relations and Affairs so i’m thinking my APUSH teacher whom I knew previously before taking the course this year, we get along really well and he’s always pulling me aside in the hall asking for feedback most recently on his AP test review sessions, and also my French teacher who I have had for two years thus far but unfortunately will be retiring next year so I won’t get her in either my AP/SUPA French course, but we get along well too and i’m president in French club so I think that will be a little extra.
Or should I opt to ask either a math or science teacher to show that i’m “well-rounded” even though I tend to struggle in math/science courses.
You don’t need “well rounded”-- your transcript will show that. It sounds like your APUSH and French teacher would be fine.
arios98o- you would probably be better off with the APUSH and French teachers because of your involvement and relationships with them. Unless the colleges/programs you are interested in require recs from certain subject areas.
thank you all again!
Hello! I had a quick question…
I have a music teacher who teaches at my school who I have worked with very often. I am a violinist but I have not been able to attend her actual strings class because I had no room in my schedule. however, I still come in at least once a week to practice with her. I am the leader of our orchestra.
she once told me that she would be willing to write a letter for me. Would it be ok to ask for a letter of recommendation from her? I am also going to ask my English teacher for one as well. I am currently a junior.
ALSO, what is the best way to ask a teacher? After class? By email?
thank you!
@jinny11419 you should totally have your music teacher write you the rec. she’s offering to do so as you said, and it’s also cool that you’ve been able to be so instrumental (hah) in the orchestra even without the class. From my experience which has been little, you should ask in person- it’s more professional.
I agree. When a teacher actually offers a recommendation without your asking, that is a good sign that it will be not only positive but substantive.