Question about rec letters for BS

I’m in the process of applying to Andover, Exeter, and a few other schools. I’ve already asked my English and Math teacher for rec letters, and I asked my swim coach for my personal recommendation. All of the schools offer an optional ‘special interest’ recommendation. I know this is mainly for if you are very good at art or music or have some other talent which someone can speak about. I have a home room teacher from last year who knows me fairly well, and can speak about my ‘hook’, but it doesn’t fall into the conventional music/athletics/art category, and is more about a program I’m involved with. Because of this, I’m not sure if I should ask him. I think it would add positively to my application but is slightly unconventional for the ‘special interest’ rec. I know if I asked him it would come across more as a personal recommendation. If you have any information about who applicants usually ask for this letter, or think it would reflect poorly to have what will basically equate to two personal recs, please let me know.

*Side note: The reason I didn’t ask him for a personal rec is because my swim coach knows me much better and has known me for longer, but I still think a rec from him would add positivity to my application.

I have no experience in application as I’m applying this year too so don’t take my words too seriously. But just thinking for you: would it be better if you put Swim Coach into “Special Interest” and then put that homeroom teacher into “Personal Rec”? I suppose the Admission officer would read all the Rec letters and would not place more importance on one Rec letter than others?

I actually have the same dilemma: I’m thinking to ask my Art or Music teacher for personal letters, but now after reading your posts, I’m thinking maybe I should put one in the Special Interest and the other into Personal.

By the way, for your math and English teachers, do you write a summary for them? I’m just thinking what’s the best way to approach them as my teachers are extremely busy and overloaded this year with online teaching.

@Jane90 first of all, good luck with everything!
I looked at the forms yesterday that the teachers fill out as part of the recommendation, and the special interest form has a series of questions about an applicants personal qualities, so I’m thinking it’s a helpful evaluation to have. It also has two additional pages that are supposed to be filled out about athletics or art/music achievements. I am considering switching my swim coach and home room teacher for this reason, but my athletic abilities aren’t great (I won’t be on varsity at any of the schools I’m applying to), so I don’t want to send the wrong message. Thus, the dilemma still stands lol.
As for the math and English teachers, I hung back after class and mentioned to them that I am applying, and I said that the applications asks for a recommendation letter from your math/English teacher. Then ask politely if they would be willing to help you out with it, and tell them the admissions deadlines. I think it’s harder for them to refuse if you ask them directly rather than through email, but I might be wrong. Before you do this, make sure to have a list of your extracurriculars and interests written out and I would also recommend writing a paragraph about why you are applying to boarding school and what your ambitions for the future are. Also, and this is pretty obvious, express that you’re really thankful that they’re taking the time to help you out.
If you are concerned that they might be too busy and therefore apprehensive to write you a letter, then I definitely would suggest emailing them first, and talking to them directly second. By emailing first you can really take the time to write out a thoughtful message that will help convince them. It’s been my experience that most teachers want to help their students, so the only reason they would really say no, even if they are overworked, is that they don’t believe you are a good candidate. I doubt you will end up in that position, but if you do, don’t press them! If they’re unwilling to write one at all, than the one they do write is not likely to be favorable. Instead, reach out to your teacher from last year and see if they will write it in place of your current teacher. If any questions arise about it not being current you can either truthfully say that you current teacher was too busy, or that due to the pandemic you didnt feel they knew you well enough, and therefore felt your other teacher could provide a more accurate representation of your abilities.
If you do have a teacher who you believe may be on the fence, a well written, sincere and mature email is usually enough to convince them. Make sure you convey gratitude, and acknowledge that they are super busy with work (you can even really suck up and tell them how thankful you are for all the work they’re putting in!), why you are applying, and list any of your major achievements or particular interests that you think your teacher will find compelling. Hope this helps!

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Many thanks for the insights! Good luck to your applications as well!

Hi, when did you ask your English and Math teachers for recommendation letters? Did you also submit the Part 2 of the Gateway Application before asking?

Ask “now” and convey the actual deadline to them, so that they can begin to think about it and have it on their radar. Depending on how well they know you, you could offer to give them your student resume or chat so that you can tell them why you want to go to BS, etc.

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Based on our experience, recommendation letters play a big role in the application, so don’t delay asking for them and make sure the recommender has good information about you and enough time to deliver the letter.

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