Letters

For college undergrad, do you ask middle school and high school teachers for letters of recommendations? And they turn into the school? Can you see it after they write it? Kind of just wondering the whole process. Thanks!

I am a little bit confused about your question as you posted this in the graduate school program.

To get into undergrad, you should only ask your high school teachers to write you letters of recommendation. Do NOT ask your middle school teachers!

To get into graduate school, you ask your undergrad professors to write you letters of recommendation or professors with whom you’ve done research.

In most cases teachers/professors submit the letters themselves (usually electronically). They may offer you a chance to read your letter or even give you a copy, but many will not share it with you. If you don’t waive your FERPA rights, you can ask the college you enroll at to see your LOR, but waiving FERPA rights is preferred as often colleges view it negatively if you don’t waive them. They believe they will get a more honest LOR if your recommenders don’t have to worry about you reading their letters and can be more forthcoming.

I’m sorry I posted it in this section, it was by mistake and I didn’t know how to change the section, so sorry. Why not ask middle school? Just wondering.

Because by the time you are applying to high school, middle school is a long time ago and too far removed to give relevant information. If you’re applying as a high school senior, eighth grade was four years ago. You may have changed a whole lot in the interim - in fact, it’s likely that you changed a lot between 13 and 17. All of your important ECs and coursework will have been done in the time after which your middle school teachers have known you. They just won’t be able to write you a strong letter.