<p>S is considering asking a particular core teacher to write a college recommendation for him next fall. The problem: This is her first year teaching. (She just got out of graduate school.) She has really hit the ground running; she's a first-rate teacher who he believes would write him an excellent recommendation. But I'm concerned that colleges might discount the value of the recommendation -- no matter how insightful, detailed, well-written, etc. -- if they are able to discern that she's brand-new to teaching. With only one year in the classroom under her belt, there is certainly no possibility of her saying anything along the lines of "X is one of the best students I've taught in my many years of teaching." I wonder if that could raise a red flag. Is this a chancy plan? Should he go with a more conventional choice?</p>
<p>In my experience, most kids obtain recommendations from two teachers because some colleges require two.</p>
<p>If it makes you feel better, suggest that your son ask both this teacher and another teacher (one who teaches a different subject area) to write recommendations for him and send both recommendations to all of the colleges he applies to -- even those that only require one recommendation. Although some colleges discourage students from submitting excessive numbers of recommendation letters, one more than required is not excessive.</p>
<p>With all of the applications and paperwork that they have to read, I highly doubt that the colleges will note that she's a new teacher. What they will care about are the comments that she and other teachers write in the recommendation. I also imagine that a new teacher may devote more time to an individual's application than would many veteran teachers, who'll be swamped with more recommendations to complete.</p>
<p>I should have clarified. Many (maybe all) of the schools on his tentative list require 2 teacher recommendations -- one from the humanities side and one from the math/science side. This new teacher is on the humanities side. His other recommendation will come from a science teacher who has taught for over 30 years.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I also imagine that a new teacher may devote more time to an individual's application than would many veteran teachers, who'll be swamped with more recommendations to complete.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Interesting observation, Northstarmom, and one that crossed my mind, too. The other teacher he would consider asking for the humanities recommendation is his APUSH teacher, who is much beloved and is thus inundated with recommendation requests every year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Many (maybe all) of the schools on his tentative list require 2 teacher recommendations -- one from the humanities side and one from the math/science side. This new teacher is on the humanities side. His other recommendation will come from a science teacher who has taught for over 30 years.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>In that case, I don't think you have anything to worry about at all.</p>
<p>They probably also will detect she is left handed from the keystrokes. That she had a balanced breakfast the morning she wrote it. Not to mention they'll discover her financee wears his underwear two days in a row. </p>
<p>With all the things to worry about, why pick this one? </p>
<p>With Rec's just hope they are good ones and ON TIME. </p>
<p>Three med schools rejected applications for incomplete requirements because a rec was mailed late by a professor. I wouldn't have cared a rat's behind if the professor were in his first year as long as he mailed the stuff on time. At $75 a app and reducing the med school field by three, there are other things to worry about. no?</p>
<p>WJB, my son is in his second year of teaching HS literature to seniors. He was asked to write college recs this past fall and considered that one of the most important things he has ever done. He was, in fact, honored to be asked.</p>
<p>Trust me, in this case I think an excellent "new" teacher will probably write a glowing rec for your son....</p>
<p>But honestly, Of all the things to worry over, is that really one?</p>
<p>And yes, I think what I am asking is helpful too. You're a bit too focused at that point and giving yourself extra grey hairs over this aspect (1st year) is a bit too much worry. isn't it?</p>
<p>Churchmusicmom -- It's great to hear about your son's pride in being asked by his students to write college recommendations. I had not thought about this from the viewpoint of the new teacher. It sounds like your son has also "hit the ground running" as a teacher. Congratulations! </p>
<p>Opie -- Although I'm a longtime member of CC, I am not a prolific poster. I typically post when I feel I can add something of substance to a discussion, or when I have a question about college admissions whose answer might help not only my son, but other kids as well. I always try to be courteous in my postings because I think the written word has great power. Your posts on this thread are flippant, and they help neither me nor others. If you think the topic of this thread is ridiculous, just hit the back button. It's responses like yours that keep reserved lurkers from seeking help on these boards. End of discussion on my side.</p>
<p>So you only want advice that will make you happy or confirm your opinion?</p>
<p>So you really don't "have" a problem here do you? you are just looking for confirmation. </p>
<p>By all means I am not trying to be mean to you. I also don't think I'm the reason someone doesn't post. I don't think the topic is ridiculous, I think you should worry less about that aspect of a letter of recommendation (1st year teacher) than recieving it in a timely manner, it's content (provided you can see it) and if it's the only one.</p>
<p>Opie, the OP asked for opinions on the topic "Is asking a first-year teacher for a college recommendation likely to pose problems?"</p>
<p>The OP did not ask for opinions on the topic "Is it appropriate to start a thread on College Confidential about whether or not asking a first-year teacher for a college recommendation is likely to pose problems?"</p>
<p>You are responding to the second question. The OP isn't interested in that question.</p>
<p>Back to the topic.....I think that Northstarmom is probably right on target. Besides, the teacher could write a "best student I ever had" letter and be honest about it !!! BTW, D's English teacher junior year was in her last year of teaching, and had one foot out the door most of the year. (Do I sound bitter?) Anyway, she made a point of NOT learning any of the students' names (or acting like she didn't know them); at the end of the year, she told the students not to bother trying to track her down to do recommendations in the fall. Needless to say, she wasn't top on D's list of teachers to get recommendations from. :) So, I'd much rather get a rec from a 1st year teacher than a LAST year teacher.</p>
<p>My son applied under ED last school year. The teacher he asked was a new teacher the year before, and because my son was an ED applicant, he was the teacher's first recommendation request . This teacher went out of his way to make sure he had lots of information from my son and he spent several days working on it. I never got to see the letter, as it was confidential, but I'm sure it was very well done. We sent him a very nice gift certificate, and my son wrote him a very heartfelt letter of gratitude. The teacher was genuinely moved by the gesture.</p>
<p>Thanks, all. CC is such a great barometer of informed opinion. Based on the responses I've gotten, I will advise my son that it is a fine idea to ask this teacher for a recommendation, if that's what he wants to do.</p>
<p>In my OP, I questioned whether asking a new teacher for a college recommendation could pose a problem. (I did NOT question whether I was neurotic or obsessive to wonder whether asking a new teacher for a college recommendation could pose a problem.) There were two possible answers to my question: "yes" and "no". I was prepared to listen to either answer. At least so far, however, the unanimous answer has been "no." I appreciate every post responding to my original question, as each poster has offered his or her personal point of view, and each poster has helped me arrive at my own conclusion. To me, that is CC at its best.</p>