<p>Okay so for most schools I'm aware that you have to have a math, English, and special choice recommendation. My only problem is that at some schools the rec has to be from a current teacher, and the teacher I have in math currently dislikes me a lot, and doesn't even know my name!!! I know this for a fact and I doubt he'll give me a good rec, but my English and theater teacher love me and are happy to write recommendations. At my #1 school (Choate) the interviewer said we can use past teachers to write recs, and my former math teacher was amazing and I'm sure she'll give me a good one. At Andover though, they said it had to be a current teacher, and I was wondering how heavily they'll weigh one bad/okay recommendation versus two outstanding ones. Are they a large part of the application process? Also, my interview went EXTREMELY well, the man talked with me for 45 minutes, so I think that's a good sign. Anyways, would this help at all, that I had a good interview?</p>
<p>DS had EXACT same problem as you last year. His present math teacher was the wild card in the application process, so DS had previous year’s math teacher, in addition to present year math teacher, fill out a separate rec form.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>“Are they [recs] a large part of the application process?”</p>
<p>All the parts are important; otherwise, the BS would not ask for them and invest a lot of effort in reading them. </p>
<p>I think what is important in the recs is that there is consistency in how you are regarded by the teachers. If you have 3 recs that have consistent appraisals of you & one that is totally different, then I would question the validity of the odd rec-- perhaps there was a personality difference w the teacher? Then again, I am not an AO.</p>
<p>TheatreGeek - </p>
<p>It’s wonderful that you had a good interview . . . that’s always encouraging! </p>
<p>Does it mean you have a better chance of being admitted? Can’t answer that. Feedback in this forum has, in the past, been all over the map - sometimes kids with great interviews get in, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes kids are surprised to be admitted to the one school where they’re certain their interview was absolutely awful! So, good for you that you had a great interview . . . just hope for the best and keep that momentum going, if you can!</p>
<p>Now, about that math teacher who doesn’t even know your name . . . well, you’re not going to like my answer. But if he doesn’t know your name, it’s time to introduce yourself! Schedule some time with the teacher, find out why he doesn’t like you (if that’s even true), and find out what you need to do to be successful in his class. The reality is that if you want a good recommendation from this person, it’s up to you to make it happen. If you’re doing something to **** this guy off, stop it. If you’re not putting the same amount of energy into the class as you did last year, then change!</p>
<p>I know it’s much easier for me to say that than for you to achieve it . . . but if you have qualities that were enough to make last year’s teacher love you, then you’ve got to make an effort to let this guy see them.</p>
<p>The schools you’re applying to know that not all teachers are created equal and, for many of you, that’s why you’re trying to change schools. But, it’s still up to you to make the best of whatever situation you find yourself in . . . that’s a good part of what will make you successful in boarding school!</p>
<p>Hi everyone, thanks a lot for the replies, now I’m not as worried as before. Also, I was wondering what to do about the school report, and what exactly are they? I’ve never spoken with my guidance counselor/principle because I’ve never really had a problem and needed to address them, so what questions do they ask because my school’s guidance counselor/principle doesn’t know me at all.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it - the school’s probably had to fill out recommendations like this before. If the principal doesn’t know you personally, he’ll review your record, maybe talk to a teacher who knows you. It’s standard stuff. When you hand it in, perhaps attach a polite note saying something like, “I know we haven’t met, but I really appreciate your help with this. If you have any questions for me, please let me know!”</p>
<p>You can find sample recommendation forms [url=<a href=“http://www.boardingschools.com/how-to-apply/application.aspx]here[/url”>Application Deadline - BoardingSchools.com]here[/url</a>]. (And you may use these for any school you are applying to!)</p>