<p>Hello all, I have some general questions about teacher recommendations.
Is it okay to ask my 10th grade AP Statistics teacher who I am peer facilitating for next year for a letter of recommendation? (To top schools like harvard and columbia)
Or do colleges like recs from 11th grade teachers?
Also, how and what time should I ask them for recs?
Will my teachers send them virtually through the commonapp?
Do colleges prefer one to waiver their rights to see the recs?
Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li>Colleges want to read recommendations from teachers that have recently taught you in an academic environment, so your 10th grade Statistics teacher is fine, although they’re writing a year removed from having you in their class. That’s why 11th grade teachers are preferred, but oftentimes it’s best to go with your gut as to which teacher will write you the best rec. Make sure your teachers can answer all the questions about you posed on MIT’s website (the questions are relevant for all colleges): <a href=“How to write good letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions”>http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs</a>. </li>
</ol>
<p>Usually when you ask a teacher for a rec, they will give you a questionnaire to fill out so you can provide them with details they may not know. Be as specific and detailed as you can. It’s also a good idea to share your essays with your teachers, asking them for their input and allowing them to provide colleges with a complete picture of the applicant.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You should ask your teachers NOW, as it takes time to write a great letter of recommendation and your teachers will be able to work on the letter over the summer.</p></li>
<li><p>Colleges prefer to receive recommendations electronically through the Common AP, so you need to get your teacher’s email address and invite them through the Common App. If your teacher wants to mail in their letter of recommendations, that’s okay, but you need to follow the Common App’s directions: <a href=“https://recsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=139&hitOffset=527+424+350+315+227+124+50+15&docID=1”>https://recsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=139&hitOffset=527+424+350+315+227+124+50+15&docID=1</a></p></li>
<li><p>Most teachers prefer if you waive the rights to see the recommendation, as that gives them the freedom to write exactly what they think without worrying you will one day see the letter. I think colleges understand that when a student doesn’t waive their rights, the teacher might be cautiously writing.</p></li>
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<p>I think it’s okay to ask your 10th grade teacher since you are still working with that teacher (or plan to) as long as you also have some recs from more recent teachers. </p>
<p>My son asked his teachers in August/September of his senior year. He asked them in person but he put together a labeled folder for each of them containing the following:
- A formal written letter asking them to write the recommendation and summarizing his goals.
- A list of the schools and deadlines to which he was asking that teacher to submit a recommendation.
- A copy of his resume so they could see some of his accomplishments that they may want to highlight.
- Stamped and addressed envelopes for any letters that have to be mailed in (he had one).</p>
<p>He tried to catch them at a time when they weren’t real busy and he talked to each one about his reasons for asking them specifically, his education/career goals and the schools to which he was applying. He also, at that time, confirmed that he should use their school e-mail address for the recommender link (all but one of his schools required the recommendations to be submitted online). </p>
<p>A few weeks before his first deadline, he brought them each a thank you note and a small box of chocolates. He figured this would serve as a reminder for any who hadn’t submitted the letters yet. </p>
<p>Some schools require teachers from junior or senior, or at least from advanced classes. So AP statistics teacher should be fine disregarding it is from 10th grade.</p>
<p>Just a reminder for all those who just accepted a college - those teachers who wrote you a rec letter all appreciate being remembered for their efforts. D got each of them a thermal mug from the school she is attending - especially nice if it’s from a prestigious or obscure school. (Even state flagships are an accomplishment for many kids.) They all loved it. Helps advertise your school to the kids that follow and lets kids know that this teacher can help them get there as well - speaks well of you, your college, and the teacher.</p>
<p>My D has already given all the teachers and GC thankyou cards and small gifts before Christmas as she applied mostly EA. One of the teacher wrote back that my D’s success would be the biggest gift she wants. ;)</p>
<p>One thing that hasn’t been brought up yet is that every student asking for recs should ask the teacher(s) whether they can write a positive letter for you. This is always appropriate, phrased politely of course. For example, “Am I a student you would write a strong letter of reccomendation for, or do you suggest I ask someone else?” Don’t argue or question why if the answer is ask someone else, simply to thank the teacher for their honest answer. There is no shame or dishonor in deliberately selecting those who hold a favorable opinion to write a rec.</p>
<p>While it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. I know someone who was on the alumni scholarship committee for a well-known U and they regularly received letters of “rec” for the full-tuition scholarship that raked the kid over the coals. In “The Gatekeepers”,in which a NY Times reporter followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan for a year, is a real-world example of a bad rec. Obviously when the student asked for a rec she assumed it would be positive, but here is what she got:
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in. </p>
<p>@gibby @wcbandmom thank you so much for your detailed response! I’m also wondering how important letter of recs are. Unfortunately, I do not go to a school that regularly sends students to top schools. In fact the best was Duke and that was three years ago. So I’m afraid that my teachers won’t be able to write extravagant and amazing recs.</p>
<p>The letters of recommendations are just part of your application process, but give your teachers the benefit of the doubt! 
Don’t forget, they all went to college - they have some experience with this.</p>
<p>I second @MrMom62’s suggestion about getting your recommenders something from your chosen school. S just did that as well. </p>
<p>He had delivered thank you notes and chocolate last fall. But once he accepted to his chosen school (which finally happened at about 5:00 pm on May 1st), we ordered a coffee mug, t-shirt, or hat (based on the individuals we were getting them for) from the school he will be attending for each of his recommenders. They actually just came in the mail yesterday and he’s delivering them today.</p>
<p>It is fine to ask that one teacher from 10th grade, particularly because it appears that you have been in contact and can speak to your work both in class and as a peer facilitator. My D had her10th grade English teacher who was also her adviser in a small program she participated in write one of the recommendations and it worked out just fine. </p>
<p>And yes, you are expected to waive your right to see the recommendations (occasionally a teacher will show it to you but that his his or her prerogative). And they are sent through the commonapp (or other online app) these days.</p>
<p>You should get your recommendations lined up before the end of this school year. </p>
<p>There is no obligation to get the references a gift, but we went for a nice box of chocolates after the final decision was made. </p>