Letters of Recommendation Help

Colleges & Universities A-Z Stanford University
1

<p>I am sophmore in high school and I will be applying to Stanford in 2 years. I really like Math so I am planning on applying to the Engineering Program. With so many qualified students applying to Stanford, I understand that the letters of recommendation become very important in ones application.</p>

<p>I have researched Stanford's view on the recommendation letters a lot and I learned that they want the teacher to compare the student to the rest of the class regarding (a)participation, (b)academic achievement, and (c) passion. Essentially, Stanford wants the student to REALLY impress the teacher to the point where he/she is among the best students the teacher has ever taught. They also encourage you to get recommendation letters from teachers who teach a field that you are interested in entering (Engineering).</p>

<p>Since I want to go into Engineering, I would like to get a recommendation letter from my Math teacher. He is among the best teachers I have ever had and I will have him for 2 more years; however, he is also very stubborn and arrogant at times. In addition, I do not think that he would consider me as a student who stands out from the crowd. Although I get good grades in his class, there are others who get better grades. Also, I am very quiet and focused during his lectures, so I do not participate a whole lot. </p>

<p>I do not want this to damage my chances at Stanford. Ofcourse, I could get a letter from another teacher; however, Stanford encourages getting a letter of recommendation from a Math teacher if I am applying for Engineering. I still have 2 years left with this teacher so...Do you have any ideas on how I can build a relationship with this teacher, stand out as one of the better students he has ever taught, and display my interest and passion for Math to him? </p>

<p>PS: I'm not trying to manufacture a 'perfect' recommendation letter and put words in my teachers mouth. I actually do want to become better at Math. I also believe that Stanford would like to see a Math recommendation letter and I think this teacher could write a very sincere, honest letter to the admission officers. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>I would say ask him about his background in Math, eg where he studied, what he studies, etc. Also, ask him when he knew he wanted to do something in math, teachers always have interesting responses. Maybe this might strike up a conversation?</p>

<p>You can also tell him corny math jokes…</p>

<p>What did Liebnitz say about Newton’s discoveries of Calculus?</p>

<p>It seems a bit… derivative…</p>

3

<p>Why is six afraid of 7? Because 7 8 9…
A physicist, and engineer and a mathematician are in a hotel where numerous small fires break out during the night. The physicist notices smoke under his door and runs into the hall. Seeing the fire, he determines the cause and nature of the fire and concludes that dousing it with water is the best solution. He does so and goes back to bed. The physicist also sees smoke under the door and goes into the hall with her blanket. She smothers the fire and goes back to bed. The mathematician wakes up coughing from smoke and opens his door to discover a fire in the hallway outside. He also sees a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall opposite his door and, realizing there is a solution, returns to bed.</p>