<p>Chicago is my absolute first choice school. Right now I'm pretty much ready to sacrifice my life for it (bit of an exaggeration. A bit), but I'm beginning to worry about my teacher recommendations. I'm trying to calm myself down by thinking that my essays could help and that at this point I don't even know for sure how good or bad the recs will be. But!!! Doubt lingers. And so I turn toward you guys.</p>
<p>How much will getting very standard to middling good teacher recs look in the eyes of the admissions board? I know I won't get anything horrible written about me, but I'm just not so close to any of my teachers that I'll recieve bouncing-off-the-wall. If I write fantastic essays (uhhh well I hope they'll turn out fantastic, can't guarantee it yet :rolleyes:) will it make up for the dimmer-than-glowing recs?</p>
<p>The best way to ensure a good rec is to provide the teacher with a brag sheet that emphasizes the things Chicago is looking for, how you performed in a challenging curriculum, love of learning etc. In one of those college application books my S located a paragraph written by Ted O'Neill describing what the school looked for in a recommendation. (I'm sorry, I don't remember the book, and we gave them to friends who has kids applying last year.) It was something along the lines of Chicago admits students for the faculty, what is it like to have this student in the classroom... He copied the paragraph and included it in the envelope given to the teacher. I believe there is some statement as to what the school wants on the form given to the teacher as well, so the brag sheet should be geared to that.</p>