I know teacher recs carry a lot of weight, but i was just wondering how important they were when compared to others aspects of your application, specifically your essays and your ECs. (ie: essays>recs>ECs?)
Any clues?
<p>Depends on the school you are applying to. HYP and a lot of the top tier schools weigh them separately, so the recs end up playing a very critical role in the process.</p>
<p>Weigh them seperately? So, for instance, you have GPA/Scores in one category, ECs in another, and Recs in a third? And then for an overall impression, combine all three aspects together?</p>
<p>Haha, sorry if I sound horribly ignorant. It's just that I was always under the that impression teacher recs were only of secondary importance - their primary goal being to backup the rest of your app. From what I've heard, this is untrue and that recs play just as important a role in admissions as other vital stats.</p>
<p>Meh, one more question. What if you have two conflicting recs? One is enthusiastic with specific anecdotes and heartfelt appreciation while the other is pretty bland and impersonal?</p>
<p>Well, they weigh them separately...meaning that you get a "score" for each of the recs...so, you get a score for testing, GPA, courseload, "personal qualities", essays, and then...teacher rec, teacher rec, and then counselor rec. that's what I mean.</p>
<p>Basically, the further UP the ladder you go in prestige and selectivity and basically any of the top 15...the more important each aspect of your app will become. Hope that helps.</p>