<p>I just got my letter from my SS teacher today, and I don't know what to think.<br>
He basically summarized my resume, then described me as a quiet, intelligent person. I was looking for a little bit more personal experience and anecdote. In general, what separates a good recommendation letter from a bad one, and what caliber of letter do I need for schools like Stanford, MIT, and Hopkins.</p>
<p>b u m p please</p>
<p>Aren't you not allowed to read your own recommendation letter? And if you are, isn't it bad form?</p>
<p>well, it thats how it came out, I can tell you it will not be a very helpful letter but it is by no means degrading. Do you have any other letters? (other than the required 2). Again, if you have a strong app, it will not really matter but if you are the average joe applicant, you might want a better letter.</p>
<p>u and me both. I got a recommendation from my math teacher, and I really know this guy. Like we are very friendly with each other, its not just liek typical student to typical math teacher, or even liek excellent student. He had so many things he could have written that were personal but he really didnt at all. It was all nice words and everything, but a lot of telling not showing. I was a little dissapointed, but I have other recs, and i decided not to send his. He let me read it btw.</p>
<p>Basically the way I look at things is you want to be helpd. a rec like that wont hurt but it wont help either, so that does you no good.</p>
<p>Do you and your teacher not understand the word 'confidential'?</p>
<p>I waived my right, it was his choice to show me. He has that right also.</p>
<p>I know some teachers that show it to students- honestly that would help the students more</p>