<p>I just posted this on the class of 13 board but realize after catching up here (where I’ve also been quietly lurking lately) that this may also be a good place to ask, given the direction the conversation has gone. Given that LORs are important in conveying that extra something about a teen that cannot be conveyed with stats (and, as per one commenter above, could even sink an application if something subtle ‘sets off alarms’), how can one be sure that the people we are asking for LORs are the ones who are most enthusiastic about our children? Is there some code way of asking that lets the person know that you don’t want them if they don’t feel inspired enough to write something memorable? Is ‘memorable’ too much to ask of a HS teacher? My son’s teachers say nice things without prompting (we have a comments section on the report card that can remain blank) but how do I know if that translates into a really good LOR?</p>