recommendations for college/summer programs

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I'm getting a bit nervous about my teacher recommendations. This year I'll be applying to RSI and next year to college. Mainly, I'm concerned about RSI, I'm pretty certain that rec's play a huge role in the decision making for both though (at least for RSI)... </p>

<p>And I've got a problem, I don't jive particularly well with any of my teachers (at least not last year's). </p>

<p>I don't know, I'm just not good with teachers I guess. Most of them get really sick of my handwriting (which is second to none on the crappiness scale) and I don't contribute much in class (If thats what you call talking in class), I mostly just listen. I don't know if they think I'm bored of their class (I sometimes am), or that I'm being disrespectful or something. I suppose sometimes they probably get the impression that I'm "bored" or just another lazy bum.</p>

<p>To make things worse, I'm in the same grade as one of the smartest kids in the school. He took Calc back in 8th grade, and he took all of the AP Sciences last year. I'll be finished with 2 of mine this year (Jr. year), but it doesn't compare much to his achievements. I might be able to pull a higher PSAT score (might), and possibly better ECs, but at the moment I can't compare with the grades and recs (I think).</p>

<p>We'll both be getting recs from 1 of our AP science teachers (maybe not the same one, however, I'm sure news will travel that we're both applying to RSI). I can imagine his rec will be like, "Best student in my career, highly motivated, blah blah "... I can already think of what my teacher will be writing for me, "Lazy, but bright. Lacks motivation. Doesn't contribute to class. Sometimes obnoxious. Definitely has potential, but doesn't seem to want to try." At least that's what last year's teachers would write, but I'd like to change my teachers' impressions of me this year (and perhaps any negative things they've heard about me from other teachers :P).</p>

<p>However, I fear that my teacher will automatically compare me to my classmate when writing the recs, since he just took the classe(s) last year.</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm just looking for a way to improve my relationship with my teachers - without sucking up or seeming like a teacher's pet. And just in case you guys couldn't tell already, I TOTALLY suck at judging people's emotions :). So the saddest thing is I can't tell if they hate me or not, sometimes I get the feeling that most of my teachers are just like, "bleh, just another kid in my 40 year career." And I don't want someone who's writing my rec to think that. :(</p>

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<p>bump. anyone? :D</p>

3

<p>I think you've pretty much figured out the situation, if things really are as you perceive it. From what I've learned, it is rare for teachers to actively hate a student. Your teachers probably don't hate you, but it does seem like you will be compared to the other student, whether in the recommendation or by the people at RSI. I guess I suggest "sucking up" if you would call it that. Talk to teachers about something, anything they said in class. Try to correct their negative perception of you. Discuss with one of them what exactly attracts to RSI (somehow link it to their class, if possible). </p>

<p>I had a similar problem in one or two subjects because the teaching style and the fact that the teacher just didn't work for me. I knew that I needed the approval of all of my teachers to get a particular scholarship, so I made a huge effort to get on this one teacher's good side. I made sure I asked at least one question and answered at least a few questions each day. It was obnoxious, it was brown-nosing, and it required me to think "Oh, right. Be vocal" but I really did get more out of the class, and the teacher did seem to like me too.</p>

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<p>Well, I'm replying to your post mainly because 1. I'm pretty ticked off that people seem unwilling to reply to threads about summer programs lately and 2. I want to help you out.</p>

<p>So about your problem. After dealing with teachers for 10 years, I've come to realize that, unless you are in elementary school, teachers like you no matter what if you talk, talk, talk. Now, I'm not telling you to go and rudely interrupt your teacher while he/she is giving a lecture in hopes of getting his/her attention, but I've noticed that just being loud and outspoken can get the teacher to really want to know you more. I guess it gives the teacher a sense of your friendliness and willingness to interact; it also distinguishes you apart from all of those other students who do not participate as actively. For instance, in middle school, there was a boy in my class that would always make the most unnecessary comments on the subject at hand. They were hilarious but nonetheless unnecessary. Though, the point is, despite how much the teacher would act like she was fed up with his comments, she favored him. She favored him a lot. Come to think of it, all of the teachers favored him. To this day the teachers favor him, and he is in high school. Anyway, my advice is: don't be afraid to just be yourself and speak your mind; try to get to know them more - that is the first step in trying to get them to know you more. I personally find it more comfortable to be myself in front of certain teachers than others. The ones that you find yourself being more comfortable with are the ones you want writing your recommendations (well, in your case, the science/math teachers.) </p>

<p>Also, you don't have to do all of your "getting-to-know-your-teachers-work" in class. I for one got to know a lot of my teachers more by: asking them for advice on independent research work that I wanted to pursue, asking them to help me form several clubs, and working with them with my independent AP studies.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys.</p>

<p>So basically just talk alot and try to get involved after school? And does anyone here know how much of a role recommendations play in the decisions process?</p>

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<p>I have no idea about RSI (I'm a fuzzy humanities person myself), but college admissions I do know about. Recommendations can play a big part if they fall on either side of the recommendation spectrum. I'm guessing most people applying to HYP etc. have good recommentaions from teachers who like them. A lukewarm-to-negative recommendation might take an applicant (with comparable scores/ECs to other applicants) out of the running simply because there are equal candidates with good recommendations. An absolutely glowing, well-written, one-in-a-million recommendation might put a comparable applicant ahead. Some colleges put more emphasis on recommendations than others, but I think at extremely elite places where nearly every applicant is extremely qualified, recommendations can make or break you.</p>

<p>I agree with Dei Gratia with regards to chatty students. Talking in class or outside of class implies listening in class and caring about/understanding the subject matter, which is a huge compliment to the teacher. I'd try that. Good luck!</p>