<p>My school really, really pushes for Junior year-only teacher recommendations, but I'm a bit uncomfortable with asking my current teachers for recs. This hasn't been my best year for student-teacher relationships, nor has it been my best year of class participation. Call it stupid, knowing that it's junior year and all, but that's how it's been playing out. I think that I could develop better relationships with my senior teachers, since I basically know what courses I will be taking and what teachers I will have.</p>
<p>But is waiting for fall really cutting it close? I know most teachers like to work on recs over the summer, and I also feel as thought it would be good to get them out of the way for the most part.</p>
<p>I guess another option would be to ask for two junior recommendations from iffy teachers as insurance and then see if anything better comes up senior year to replace one/both.</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Also, I am so sorry for posting this, because I am sure that it has come up before. I ran a quick search but nothing came up. So I apologize if this is a commonly asked question/topic.</p>
<p>Generally you want to get the teachers who have known you the longest; senior year teachers are somewhat discouraged as you won't have known the teacher very long. However, it is def. better to get a great letter from a new teacher than a poor letter from a teacher you have a longer relationship with.</p>
<p>Senior year teachers are not the best idea especially if you are applying early decision. They may write you a letter but it generally won't be that good because they just don't know you at all. Most senior year teachers will not even write you a rec until second semester because they want a chance to get to know you. At least that is how it usually works at my high school.</p>
<p>a) I think sometimes people put too much emphasis on a close personal relationship w/ the recommender--it might be better to pick a teacher who is a good writer. For example, I got 2 recs from junior yr teachers, one from my spanish teacher where i aced the class and he advised one of my top ECs, and one from my english teacher where i got a B+ and didn't know her that well personally. My GC told me that the second one was better and sent that in. I thought the same thing about my relationships last year and was really surprised that she wrote such a good rec so you never know. In other words...maybe my experience was extraordinary but I think in general these relationships may not be as bad as you think.</p>
<p>b)Senior year teachers are ok but again from experience I would think twice before going that way. I started out this year like you, planning to develop great relationships w/ my teachers, who seemed cool when picking classes last yr. However, sometimes senior year activities, etc. don't give you a whole lot of time to actually do this. For me at least this process didn't go according to plan, and all my recs ended up from junior yr teachers.</p>
<p>-It does change the situation a little if you have had these teachers before fresh/soph-esp if they already like you alot. Again though, I had some teachers again senior year and I think I'm doing worse now than I did then. Just remember that there are alot of distractions senior year and it may not play out as you envision it now...</p>
<p>Don't any of your senior teachers also teach underclassmen? My Common App recommendations were from my Biology/Anatomy teacher (10th/12th, respectively) and my math teacher (Algebra I Hon-9th, Geometry-10th, PreCalc/APCalc-11th, APStats-12).</p>
<p>I did use my APUSH teacher (11) and English II Honors (10th) teachers for Brown though. I used my English II teacher because she's also my mock trial coach (3 years) and she has an incredible command of the English language.</p>
<p>That seems like good advice, CollegeKid. Perhaps Jr. yr. recs won't result in the end of my career.</p>
<p>Do most college counselors tell you if a teacher has written a poor or weak recommendation?</p>
<p>Also, is it better to get a rather shallow recommendation from a perky, cheerleader-enthusiastic I <em>heart everyone</em> teacher or a sincere (albeit very iffy) recommendation from a very smart, intellectual teacher with whom you have had a below-average relationship?</p>