<p>So today, my friend who got a recommendation from the same teacher as me received it back for proofreading, and she was utterly astonished by how generic it was and the amount of typos there were. She was definitely a top student in the class as well. Now I'm not so sure I want that teacher's recommendation for me submitted to colleges. However, I checked common app today and it says that she "submitted her evaluation" already three days ago to half the colleges on my list, and I don't even know how she found out where I'm applying because I didn't tell her yet. Is it too late to cancel her recommendation? What should I do?</p>
<p>I think that when a teacher “submits” their rec to the Common App, it’s simply added onto your application - colleges won’t see it until you submit the app. If you go to the recommenders section under each college, you should still be able to remove (and assign) recommenders.</p>
<p>Gotcha. Should I risk sending her recommendation to colleges? Or should I just submit my music teacher’s, which is undoubtedly much better and more personalized? I know a lot of schools ask for two recs from core courses, and I am definitely sending my APUSH teacher’s, but is it okay to send my music teacher’s as the second one if I will major in music?</p>
<p>I think you should still submit two core recs… definitely send in the music rec as a supplement, but selective colleges (which I think you’re applying to) will want to see the ones from core subject teachers. A generic recommendation is still better than no rec - it might not help you, but it won’t hurt (and they can’t hold your teacher’s typos against you).</p>
<p>Are you sure the generic rec won’t hurt though? Won’t they think “oh, there’s nothing special about this kid.”? Also, is it guaranteed that adcoms will read supplement recommedations?</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>A generic rec won’t hurt your application but it won’t add anything to it.</p>