Letter of rec or character reference?

Applying to College
1

<p>I asked a teacher to write me a letter of rec.. She told she'd prefer to write a character reference. I googled both but can't see that big of a difference between both.</p>

<p>What's the difference between a recommendation letter and a character reference?</p>

<p>Would prestigious uni's accept character letters for the two letters of rec they usually ask for?</p>

<p>sorta confused here o.0</p>

<p>Plus.. what is the definition of a "good" letter of rec?I've read some online, but what makes one stand out and not the usual mainstream one?</p>

<p>Also, is it okay that this teacher doesn't teach anymore and never actually taught me? She was sorta "my boss" when I was head of the student council. She taught me a lot, and I consider her my idol sorta :D</p>

2

<p>From what I understand, the letter of recommendation is from a teacher and discusses your academic performance and potential while a character reference discusses your personality and other non academic aspects.</p>

<p>I think the teacher you asked is correct in this situation for asking to do a character reference as opposed to a letter of recommendation since she was more of an advisor/boss than your actual academic teacher.</p>

<p>As far as i’ve heard the both letters are pretty similar but make sure you have another recommendation from an academic teacher who can attest to your potential to succeed at a college level.</p>

<p>One of my letters of recommendations was done by my Band teacher which counted as a teacher but i believe it was more of a personal character reference, the other recommendation was from my physics teacher.</p>

<p>The Universities that you are applying for should accept character references as long as you have another academic reference along with it. I really do not see a character reference hurting your chance of admission at a selective uni.</p>

<p>In terms of what makes a good recommendation I can’t really speak on that since I was not able to read the ones that my teachers wrote for me. However I was accepted to all of the schools I applied to so i figure it helped rather than hurt. The key when asking a teacher for a recommendation is finding the teacher who you believe knows you the best as a person and student and who you think would know you enough to write more than a generic letter.</p>

<p>PM me if you have any other questions.</p>

3

<p>From MIT, but some good LOR recommendations:</p>

<p>[Writing</a> Recommendations | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs]Writing”>How to write good letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions)</p>

4

<p>I think she’s telling you, nicely if obliquely, that you should be asking somebody else to write your required letters of recommendation.</p>

<p>Colleges don’t really want a character reference–at least, not nearly as much as they want a recommendation letter from teachers who have taught you. Here’s why. Applying to college is very much like applying for a job. The position you’re applying for is student. Understandably, college admissions committees want to know how you’ve performed in similar positions in the past. So they ask for letters of recommendation from people who have taught you in an academic subject. These people can talk knowledgeably about your intelligence, your work ethic, your ability to collaborate or to be flexible in your thinking, etc.</p>

<p>As invader71 has said, you need one or two strong letters from teachers who have taught you in academic subjects (usually defined as English, math, science, social studies or foreign language). Usually you may supplement the required one or two letters (some colleges require two such letters, some only one, and some require no teacher recommendation at all) with a letter from another person if that person can provide a perspective on you that the classroom teachers can’t. I believe this is what the student-government advisor is offering to do for you. If she was something of a mentor to you, it’s an appropriate (and generous) offer. </p>

<p>The fact that she no longer teaches is not relevant.</p>

5

<p>yes well… Then it WOULD be more of a character reference right?
so shall i just make her write it?</p>

<p>I think this is exactly what I want yeah… so i will give 2 letters of rec a long with hers then?!</p>

6

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<p>I’d go with asking her to write it. And then thanking her sincerely for doing so.</p>

7

<p>^ lol… You really dunno me… I’m EXTREMELY politely with her and all my teachers. :D</p>

<p>Thanks any way. That was really helpful.</p>

<p>Thanks to you too @invader. </p>

<p>and @entomom, The link is very helpful too ;)</p>

8

<p>

I would advise against it. Her letter is of no value to colleges. Period.</p>

<p>Read the link in post 3 and Sikorsky’s description of what colleges value in LORs. Your “character reference” letter offers nothing the college wants. I’ve seen this before – mostly from teachers who don’t know WHAT COLLEGES WANT (like the MIT link) and think they are doing you a grand favor but really aren’t.</p>

<p>One of the biggest bits of advice I give people is CHOOSE WISELY your rec letter writers. Have they written letters for successfully admitted students to top colleges previously? Frankly, unless this person is able and willing to submit anecdotes (per the MIT link), you should extricate yourself.</p>

9

<p>REALLY?
But I don’t have that sort of teacher!</p>

<p>I mean I sent her the MIT link by the way, but I told her to write what she wishes!</p>

<p>What shall I do with no of rec?!</p>

10

<p>“But I don’t have that sort of teacher!” OK: so none of your teachers have gotten students into competitive schools. But READ CAREFULLY the MIT link.</p>

<p>You have no teacher in whose class you’ve been able to shine especially as a student, leader or magnanimous person – to a degree where the teacher could write about it?</p>

<p>Anecdotes. Think this one thing…</p>

11

<p>“I asked a teacher to write me a letter of rec…”</p>

<p>Did you have this teacher for an academic subject in your junior year? Did you have them for Math, History, English or a Science class? </p>

<p>Colleges are academic institutions and are looking for your teachers to comment on your potential as a scholar IN THE CLASSROOM. I agree with T26E4 that a character reference is of no use to colleges. And Sikorsky may be right; your teacher may be nicely suggesting that you should approach someone else that will write you a more academic recommendation. </p>

<p>One of my son’s teachers gave him a copy of his letter of recommendation. You want your teachers to write something like this, but you really can’t tell them what to write. You can only supply them with the details of your life, and the answers to questions they may ask you, so they can write in their own style.</p>

<h2>FWIW: My son applied to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Williams, Middlebury, Pomona, Vanderbilt, and Binghamton. He was accepted to every school except Harvard (where his sister attends). We’re not sure what that was all about, but suffice it to say that I doubt the recommendation letter was the issue.</h2>

<p>Dear Officers of Admissions,</p>

<p>This is certainly a privilege and an honor for me to write a letter of recommendation in support of XXXX’s application for admission to Yale. XXXX and I have enjoyed a number of one on one conversations beyond the restraints of a regular class period. XXXX is smart, articulate and personable. He is wise beyond his years. His growth in poise, independence, and maturity at BBBBB High School has been phenomenal. XXXX’s academic record speaks for itself, and his extra curricular activities set a standard for others to admire. XXXX is well prepared to meet the demands and challenges of higher education.</p>

<p>XXXX was at the top of the class in my CCCCCC course. He demonstrated scholarly understanding and appreciation for the literary works we studied. He is clear in his thinking and has a keen knowledge of an author’s use of literary elements and techniques. XXXX is always willing to tackle the difficult questions and encourages his peers to do the same. Needless to say, XXXX works well in groups and offers leadership that allows participants to reach their full potential.</p>

<p>XXXX’s writing is a triumph of creativity, analysis and sophisticated language that offers pleasure, insight and a sense of discovery in every paragraph that also transcends the strictures of the assignment.</p>

<p>XXXX is the youngest of two children. His dad is a YYYYY and his mother is a ZZZZZ His role model is his older sister who attends Harvard. XXXX works hard to achieve academic excellence and has a real sense of purpose for his academic pursuits and career endeavors. XXXX is leaning towards computer science, but is leaving his options open. Whatever he decides, he will excel well above the average expectations.</p>

<p>One of XXXX’s main interests is sports. He has been a member of BBBBBBB’s Varsity Baseball team for the past two years and was on the JV team during his freshman year. He also enjoys skiing, volleyball and soccer. XXXX immersed himself in a martial arts program two years ago, and took multiple classes in kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Premier Martial Arts. He earned a yellow belt in under a month. He delights in watching younger kids study the martial arts, and helps them see the connection of discipline and personal respect to the sport. This is the kind of dedication and commitment that has made XXXX such a special young man to be admired by both faculty and students.</p>

<p>XXXX has become a celebrity of sorts, if you will. He enjoys creating and editing videos, some of which are posted on YouTube. His love for video game design has led him to create a relatively complex fighting game with eleven different opponents. Now that is quite an accomplishment.</p>

<p>Teachers should be responsible for the teaching of the heart as well as the mind. This will make the difference in shaping the character and integrity of a new generation of young people. XXXX has been an example of academic excellence and moral responsibility. He has high standards for himself and others, and is a young man who is destined to make a significant contribution to our world – home and abroad. It has been my pleasure to have this young man, whose light will always set a path for others to follow.</p>

<p>XXXX has made us all so very proud of him. He is a marvelous human being, with a great mind and a delightful sense of humor. He can achieve anything he sets his mind to. XXXX certainly has the makings of a dedicated scholar. XXXX deserves every consideration for admission to Yale. I recommend him with enthusiasm. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

12

<p>@T26,
yes, I can name more than one class in which I need really well more than one teacher who know me and look up to my achievements. </p>

<p>But the deal is, as hard as it may seem,
NO… none of them read the MIT website (I said I SENT her the link… not that she checked it) and no… None of the kids from my school even thought of Ivy League if US to start with. I am an international student, my home country and the country of my residency both don’t have English as first language… I am in an international school, but my teachers are not acquainted with letters of rec because none of the uni’s in the country OR the region require that. ( except for let’s say very few like the ones that follow the us system for instance )
So yes, a tough position. That lady is British. Her first language is English AND she’s an English teacher, so that made me more confident to ask her. Plus, I think of her as my mentor. And she DOES know me a great deal.</p>

<p>I don’t think she ever wrote recommendation letters though, but believe me having good writing skills (well, at least I hope so )makes her the best I can get!</p>

<p>Otherwise, I will have to write my own letter for whoever teacher whom I ask (one actually asked me to), and they would sign it. Because nearly all my teachers know my strength points and all. They just don’t know how to put it one paper. They don’t have experience they say.
Now that I think of it, I will write if at least one rec letter. I better start my homework and read as much successful letters (thanks for your son’s gibby) so I can get the idea. </p>

<p>Long story short, that character reference maybe the best I can get.</p>