<p>but the form says that for engineering applicants it MUST be completed by a math teacher???</p>
<p>do they really mean this literally? or is it just as a guideline?</p>
<p>any other Fu Foundation applicants have experience with this?</p>
<p>Form A must be completed by a math teacher. But I do remember how people on this forum completed it through a science teacher (i.e. Chem, Physics... Bio is pushing it)</p>
<p>no idea what AnonAnnay is talking about....</p>
<p>as far as i know, yes they do mean it literally. math = math. Your second recommendation however can be from your science teacher. When i applied i sent in three recommendations because i knew the one i got from my math teacher was going to be lacking to say the least. They would have much less of a problem with taking that route than completely disregarding their instructions.</p>
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But I do remember how people on this forum completed it through a science teacher (i.e. Chem, Physics... Bio is pushing it)
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<p>I've seen people who've been admitted say the same thing.</p>
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They would have much less of a problem with taking that route than completely disregarding their instructions.
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<p>One bad rec could screw you over. It's perhaps better to take the risk of disregarding their instructions than send in a land mine.</p>
<p>Hm it's strange to hear these stories of bad recommendations. I'm surprised that there are teachers that are that deceptive.</p>
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One bad rec could screw you over. It's perhaps better to take the risk of disregarding their instructions than send in a land mine.
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<p>well it wasn't a "bad" rec. it was just very short, basic and to the point... along the lines of "he has a passion for math, one of the best in the class" etc etc but without anything too specific. That was mostly because the teacher didn't really care very much. Its not like he said anything negative.</p>
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Hm it's strange to hear these stories of bad recommendations. I'm surprised that there are teachers that are that deceptive.
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<p>I believe in the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it" for recommenders. If a teacher can't write a good rec, he should decline to write it period.</p>
<p>I think what is more common than a sabotage-worthy rec is a mediocre letter that is bad in the sense of what it DOES NOT say. That is, a letter that talks a lot about how "he's a really hard worker" -- and says nothing about your intellect/ability/aptitude/brilliance -- might imply that you're a dumb overachiever.</p>
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[quote]
well it wasn't a "bad" rec. it was just very short, basic and to the point... along the lines of "he has a passion for math, one of the best in the class" etc etc but without anything too specific. That was mostly because the teacher didn't really care very much. Its not like he said anything negative.
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<p>That's a typical generic "good" letter. Nothing in there that'll hurt you, but you won't get any extra points.</p>
<p>You want the rec letter to tell the admissions committee things that aren't obvious through a transcript. Getting an A in the class is enough indication of your work. Understanding the amount of work and dedication you had to give to get that A or any difficulties you had in the class that you had to overcome are not quite so obvious. Explaining these situations and showing your growth as a student is part of the recommendation letter.</p>