I just found out today that an english teacher i had as a sophomore is retiring after this year (my jr yr).
big problem! I was planning on getting a rec from her next year (sr yr) in her AP Lit class.
She doesn’t teach 11th grade english, so i’m not sure if it would be appropriate for me to approach her in the middle of nowhere in the halls and ask for a rec? Even if I could, would it be better for me to write a letter/ talk to her in person? Are gifts required/thank you notes?
<p>GIfts no, thank you note yes....ask her, my daughters have recommendations from volutunteer work they did 2 years ago...</p>
<p>well, i'm assuming that you are on friendly terms with this teacher? if you are, then just drop her a note or send her an email telling her that you want to speak to her. THen have a meeting with her and just explain what you mentioned in your post. She'll understand you situation. All you need to do is express your gratitude that she is taking the time to talk to you and (hopefully) write a rec for you. a thanx note helps, but a gift seems like too much.</p>
<p>Good teachers can be very understanding and are appreciative of your respect and honesty!</p>
<p>Just ask now for a generic letter that you can use next year as needed, or ask for the teacher's contact info (phone #, e-mail and/or home address) so you contact the teacher next year as needed.</p>
<p>Many colleges prefer a rec from a teacher you had junior or senior year, so you may need to look elsewhere for your rec. Also ask someone in the college counseling office if a retired teaacher will be considered a good recommender.</p>
<p>My daughters 2 recommendations came from teachers that left the school. One retired and one became a dean for another district. Both were happy to write the letters and they must have done a great job because she got into her ED1 choice. If your applying early decision, senior year teachers may not be the best choice. Teachers are just starting to get to know you by the Novemeber date(s). If your a sophmore now, just wait until next year (which you should do anyway) and see if there is someone else to write a recommendation. I wouldn't worry about it now.</p>
<p>Lisa</p>
<p>My opinion is that recommendation letters should preferably come from teachers in your Junior year; Sophomore year teachers are second best though. (Senior teachers really have only 2 or 3 months to get to know you start applying, and even less if you are applying early).
First of all, do you have 2 teachers in your Junior year that could write you good letters? If you feel that you can only get one good Junior teacher, then ask the Soph. teacher to write a letter and have it placed in your file at your High School. The H.S. will then send it out at the appropriate time.(after reminders from you)
If you are asking her this early, do you have your list of colleges ready? It is always advantageous for the letter to be addressed directly to specific schools, and explain why you are a good candidate for that school, or a certain program; (rather than a "to whom it may concern")</p>
<p>I ended up getting a recommendation from a chemistry teacher that retired after my junior year without telling anyone. In order to reach her, I had to go through other members of the science department since I wasn't allowed to contact her directly. It was very stressful. My advice to you is that you ask find another teacher if you can help it. If not, ask this teacher for a recommendation NOW. Go in to see her when she's not teaching, resume in hand, and just ask her. The two of you will need to figure out what to do come senior year when you've decided what specific colleges you're applying to and the recommendations need to be mailed, but in the meantime, she can at least write the rec.</p>