<p>So I have a problem because the schools I am applying to ask for teacher recs. from 11th or 12th grade teachers. My schools ask for students to ask teachers very early for recommendations so they aren't overloaded. I think this might make asking my 12th grade teacher to write a rec. because he or she will not adequate time to learn who I really am. So I do not really want to have a 12th grade teacher write my rec.</p>
<p>So I must choose from 2 of my teachers from Junior year. I have already chosen my English teacher who would write a beautiful rec. However, I cannot decide on another teacher for a rec. All my other teachers from Junior year are nearly illiterate in English. My Spanish teacher speaks only Spanish, my two science teachers fail to even use a noun and verb together properly, my Calculus teacher has just had brain surgery and has retired, and my US History teacher refuses to write recs for any students because he thinks it creates unfair advantages to students he might have biases towards. So I cannot choose anybody else to write me a rec.</p>
<p>Only person who knows me well enough (and is smart enough to) to write me a rec is my 10th grade math teacher. It was a Pre-Calculus class, which consisted of mainly juniors and seniors, so i don't know how that would affect if he is allowed to write my recs. </p>
<p>So basically:
Should I go with the teacher who barely knows me (12 grade), teacher who cannot write properly (11th grade), or my 10th grade teacher who is most capable of doing the job?</p>
<p>p.s. : What do I do about counselor recs if i just got a new counselor? :[</p>
<p>Option 1) Teacher who barely knows you: I wouldn't ask recommend getting a teacher who barely knows you for the reasons you listed.</p>
<p>Option 2) Teacher who cannot write properly: I suggest a recommendation in their native language, Spanish, and then have someone you know or someone your teacher knows to translate it in English. Depending on what type of application involved, paper or electronic, you might want to include a note or explanation saying the recommendation was translated.</p>
<p>Option 3) Your 10th grade teacher: I would consider this the second to last thing you'd want to do (the last being getting a recommendation from your 12th grade teacher) because, as you said, the schools specifically ask for 11th or 12th grade teacher recommendations. But I suppose the schools would have some understanding of why you couldn't get a recommendation from your 11th grade teachers if you include a note or explanation on your application (the explanation would go in the "Additional Information" box or if the colleges ask you if there was any information not included in the application you'd like to share). </p>
<p>Counselor recommendations: Ask someone in the main office where counselors work or ask the new counselor if they have any of the contact information of your former counselor. If you can't contact your counselor, you might just have to ask for a recommendation from your new counselor. In that case, try your best to introduce yourself at the beginning of the year. Make your best impression by continuing to do well and visit his/her office to talk about college and show him/her what kind of person you are. </p>
<p>I'm in the same boat as you, I got a new counselor my Junior year.</p>
<p>If you already have one eleventh grade teacher, it is fine to use a teacher from sophomore year. As far as your counselor, if you need a rec from him you should still get one, even though he has left. Ask how to contact him and then request a rec.</p>
<p>T26EA haha thats very true. That will annoy admissions officers</p>
<p>Heres my TIP:::
If you can get a recommendation from a teacher whos also an Alumni from the school you're applying to, that will be spectacular. I mean, its still no guarantee that you'll get in but come on, this is a person that knows what it takes to thrive at that school and adcoms will take note of that. So if you're cool with a teacher thats also an alumni of your dream school then get a recommendation from that teacher.</p>
<p>I would be less concerned about how well a teacher writes than what he or she will say. If your science teachers think you are outstanding, it shouldn't matter how elegantly they express it.</p>