<p>I have a question about recommendation letter. </p>
<p>Usually at the end of the form, there is a box labeled "Ratings" in which the teacher is supposed to rate a student in terms of "Creativity, Motivation, Self-confidence, Academic achievement, Written expression of ideas, etc". The corresponding scales are "Below Average, Average, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding, One of the top few encountered in my career".</p>
<p>Is it true that a teacher will hardly give a rating like "One of the top few encountered in my career"?</p>
<p>So my question is: how important is this rating as compared to the attached letter a teacher wrote. </p>
<p>My friend is confused about whether to ask a recommendation from a science teacher who is not that good at writing a letter but may give her high ratings, or from a math teacher who can write an excellent letter but not necessarily gives her high ratings? </p>
<p>Any help appreciated! Thanks in advance.</p>