<p>I have a 9th grader also. With the benefit of having his older sibling go through the college application process this year he asked me for ideas. The most important one I gave him was to keep in mind there's much more to it than just making good grades. His brother has had enthusiastic support from his teachers and counselor because he truly cares about learning. It shows. A kid like that is going to get strong recommendations.</p>
<p>^ You speak the truth. The teachers can tell who are the true scholars and who are gpa hounds. The letters reflect that.</p>
<p>The unfortunate thing is that people who have zero desire to actually learn the material, but who are very wired for learn->recite, get straight As, while those less well wired, but with a true curiosity and desire to learn, may not achieve the A. One can recite the material, whereas the other may have better internalized it.</p>