What schools only require a guidance counselor recommendation? I’m asking because I don’t have any teachers that really know me well, or that I’ve established a strong relationship with, so it would be awkward to ask them for a rec.
Current stats:
-90 unweighted GPA, 96 weighted GPA (unsure how to convert to 4.0)
-5 to 7 AP classes depending on what classes I get senior year, rest are honors
- 1410 SAT, will probably take 2 more times so that it will be at least a 1500 superscore
- Not many EC’s. I’m a member of a few clubs, work during the summer, started track spring of junior yr, and have some volunteer hours. I also have a blog but I don’t really think that’s an EC.
My intended major is computer science, and I would prefer to go to a school in the East Coast, preferably near NY. I know big state schools like UC’s don’t require recs. What good engineering and comp sci schools in the East coast don’t require recs. Currently I only have 2 SUNY’s, Penn State, and Rutgers.
You’d have to do the research about what schools don’t require LORs. I can’t help you with that.
However, IMO you would really be limiting yourself by only applying to colleges that don’t require teacher recommendations. Think back to what classes you have done well in, have participated in etc. and ask one of those teachers if he/she would be willing to write you a positive letter of recommendation for college. I expect you will be surprised by the response. HS teachers are used to writing LORs and are generally focus on your performance in the classroom so if you were prepared, did well etc. then you should be able to get at a positive letter (even if it may be a bit generic). My S was very quiet in HS and both teachers he asked provided recommendations that were good enough to get him into his top choice college.
Did he ask his junior yr teachers?
Yes he did. Junior year teachers are preferred, but if you have a sophomore year teacher you feel would be much better than ask him/her. Getting even one teacher LOR (maybe you can even get two) would open up many more schools for you to apply to. If you can think of a teacher who would write that you were a conscientious and respectful student (if you participated in class at all that would be another plus) that would be fine for most schools. If you are stuck as to who to ask, perhaps talk to your guidance counselor – they sometimes have a sense of who writes good LORs.
Don’t be afraid to ask. Quiet students do get LORs all the time. And if the teacher says yes, ask if there is something you can provide to help him/her write the letter (such as a list of your activities, a resume if you have one etc.).
Good luck.
Sorry, no knowledge of the East coast colleges. On the West coast, may state public schools don’t require recommendations. Not only “not required”, they actually will throw away teacher recommendations if you send them. You already know the UCs. CSUs, University of Washington, Washington State University, all have similar policy. Coincidentally (or not), these schools are generally strong in Computer Science and engineering.