should I ask my teacher to write it or type it? Is it okay if I just copy the recs like 10 times to send to different schools? Oh and I also have question about essays… If your applying to 10 schools do you have to write 10 different essays for each college? -_-…
<p>Be sure to ask the teacher outright if they can write a strong rec. This IS appropriate, phrased politely of course.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>If you could ask every teacher you've had for their opinion, many times the result would be mixed bag. And sometimes a teacher you assume would like you (due to a high grade, for example) sees things differently. There is no shame or dishonor in deliberately selecting those who hold a favorable opinion to write a rec.</p>
<p>And while it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. In the book "The Gatekeepers" is an example of a bad rec.
[quote]
There were times, I must admit,that I thought Tiffany might have taken a stronger interest in mastering the material in our course. When I saw that Tiffany was a National Merit Semi-Finalist I was a bit surprised. While clearly bright and competent, I had seen in Tiffany neither an exceptional skill for testing nor a particular affinity for the subject.
[/quote]
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.</p>