<p>My English teacher wrote one of my recommendations and she let me read it over before sending it, just to see if I wanted her to add any additional info. I have had her for sophomore and senior year so she knows me pretty well. The thing is, English is my strong subject and I've been getting all A's in her classes and so she described me as a highly intellectual, one-of-the-smartest-kids-around kind of person. But I'm pretty weak in other areas and my transcript clearly shows that my grades have struggled in the many honors and AP classes I have taken. </p>
<p>Will I seem like a person who's smart but has no work ethics and no effort/interest in school work? I know this doesn't please colleges..</p>
<p>That’s not exactly what I’m trying to say. I’m just worried because I feel like what she wrote about me being very smart aren’t really reflected through my grades… I didn’t know what to say, so I just said she didn’t have to add anything. But I don’t want colleges to think, “this applicant may be smart, but according to her grades and GPA, does not have good work ethics and is lazy.”</p>
<p>The colleges will not think that. They’ll think that you have been a brilliant student who really shined in that particular class and that your teacher holds you high in her thoughts. As long as your other rec teacher and counselor don’t report anything about bad work ethics, they will not judge you. Plus, honors and AP classes are supposed to be challenging classes. It shows you’ve tried hard but your grade doesn’t always reflect effort.
I’d say don’t worry!! :)</p>
<p>But I also think you are right to consider the overall impression that your entire application makes. You have a great rec from one teacher highlighting your intellectual ability. The next step is to get a rec from someone associated with your key EC who can emphasize your leadership, motivation, commitment, passion, ability to work with other, etc…It’s the total picture that you want to create and it’s not dependent on any one teacher, grade, EC or test score. Think holistically about your application.</p>