<p>I just received the letter of recommendation from my biology teacher and, frankly, it's quite bad. The formatting is terrible, half of it he handwrote, and it doesn't talk much more about me than a generic "hardworking and smart" girl.</p>
<p>I'm shooting for the Ivies so I'm kind of concerned. Should I confront him about it? I definitely don't want to criticize his writing, but I believe there's more things he could write about than just how I study and was one of the hardworking students =</p>
<p>Submitting resume with description of your ideas and stuff with the rec is a good idea, so teacher knows what to write about. Did you do that? In any way, I would rather give a rec to a different teacher in that case... + How did you see the rec, weren't you supposed not to look at it?</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything you can do now except ask someone else for a letter of recc.</p>
<p>Did you provide him with things like copies of excellent papers and tests you'd done in his class? Remind him of things that you'd accomplish in clubs and activities that he advises? Sit down with him and let him know why you were applying? What you wish to accomplish in college and life in general?</p>
<p>Typically, this is what one needs to do to get reccs with references to specifics about you. It takes a lot of time to write an excellent recc, and teachers have lots of students, so if you don't provide the kind of help that I suggested, you're likely to get generic reccs.</p>
<p>Alone: If teachers want to, they can show students their reccs. Most teachers, however, prefer not to do this.</p>
<p>I absolutely did -- I printed out my entire resume, wrote short descriptions of my passions in biochemistry, and provided descriptions of programs I was heavily interested in. I actually lead a club that he advises at school and have lead it for the past two years with enthusiasm. I'm heavily surprised he didn't invest that much time writing my recommendation letter. I had my thoughts on that he would be writing the better of my two recommendation letters, but now I have my doubts...</p>
<p>I'm now considering asking my history teacher. Not too sure yet, but I'm just hoping I can save this one somehow... =</p>
<p>A resume isn't as helpful as is reminding teachers of things you've accomlished in organizations they've advised, and giving teachers copies of papers/tests you've done in their classes.</p>
<p>The reason why the resume isn't helpful is that teachers may just decide to include in their reccs lists of your overall accomplishments, not things that the teacher has viewed you do in their class or in organizations they are connected with.</p>
<p>To write an excellent letter of recommendation typically takes about an hour (Ssaying this from my own experience writing them). If teachers have lots of reccs to write (and some may have to write them for 50 students) or have lots of things going on connected with their job or personal life, they may not be able to invest that amount of time.</p>
<p>When it comes to public school teachers, most have such heavy work loads that they don't have that much time to invest in writing detailed recc letters. Private school teachers usually have fewer students, and have more time to invest in the reccs. Fortunately, colleges know this, so factor in the reccs accordingly.</p>
<p>i guess just don't send it. if it has been sent, see if the college people are willing to throw it away or send it back or something and not give it to the admissions officers</p>
<p>nooob, that's completely untrue
just because someone is a good student does not mean the teacher will write an amazing rec for them. If a teacher was rushing, stressed, or had a long "to do" list-then the rec is going to be less than satisfactory. This reflects no way on the student whatsoever.</p>
<p>Thanks for your guys' responses. I do agree -- even though I can't vouch for myself and say that I'm good student, I can say with confidence that I was one of his better students in class and one of the only students who kept on keeping contact with him after I took his AP Bio class in 10th grade. </p>
<p>I really don't know what to do though -- he's the teacher who probably has the greatest "potential" to write the best rec, except it's turned out against my favor. Since I'm going to biochemistry, I'm wondering if I should switch my bio teacher's rec for my history teacher's rec...it seems a bit risky asking so late now though</p>
<p>Go ahead and get another recommendation and send both is my advice. The adcoms see all sorts of sloppy recommendations, especially from overworked public school teachers who may not really understand what it takes to get into an Ivy today and never went through competitive school admissions themselves. Adcoms make allowances. Focus on your essays and the detail there re your academics and your vision of yourself on campus. Get an interview. I am sorry the teacher is not a good writer. Be positive in every aspect you have control over. If you have ever held a job...think about asking that supervisor or someone in a volunteer agency.</p>
<p>I am in the same situation CrystalProphecy. I, too, thought that my teacher's recommendation had the most "potential" to be a great recommendation but it fell flat. I appreciate her attempt and know she is busy, but I can't help being disappointed. </p>
<p>Since I read the recommendation after she sent them all out, I have no choice but to let it go and hope for the best! My other recommendations are great, and I am hoping that the admissions officers will disregard the very generic and bland recommendation I received from this inexperienced foreign language teacher. Maybe this could be the same situation for you - other great recs to make up for the not so good one. And, if the teacher hasn't sent out the recs yet, I would ask another teacher to write one. After all, you (and I) are applying to Ivys, where many applicants have all stellar recommendations. </p>
<p>But if that is not a possibility, I say just relax and focus on writing a great essay or improving another part of your application. What's done is done. (But if you are like me, you may be kicking yourself because you asked the teacher in the first place). </p>
<p>From what I see on this thread, most people consider good teacher recommendations to be specific and contain examples. However, I had my favourite teacher write me a recommendation which I thought was just amazing. It almost brought tears to my eyes but looking back on it, it's not that specific. When I read it, I feel like he really means what he said but will adcoms see it this way? Am I just naive in terms of recommendations or are there different kinds of good recommendations?</p>
<p>Also - why do good recs have to be specific? Wouldn't a great relationship between the student and the teacher be more meaningful than just one or two times where the student stood out?</p>
<p>Haha, to karmaapolice thanks for your post. He hasn't sent the rec letter out (he actually gave them for me to copy and send out myself so he wouldn't have to go through troubles with timing) and I don't think I'm going to send this one out. I'm hoping my math teacher (who's my 2nd rec teacher) will at least format hers correctly even if it is generic -- at least it would look better than my bio teacher's in apprearance. </p>
<p>I think I may also be asking my history teacher tomorrow for a rec. I dunno how to explain to him my situation though...</p>
<p>But now I see the importance of asking more than two teachers. One of my friends asked 4 teachers to write for her and placed her 2 favorite teachers for the first app that was due. That way, she could spot check the recs if they let her read it and could switch out any time she wanted.</p>
<p>But yeah @ discoball, if my rec letter made me cry (happily), I wouldn't be complaining right now.</p>