<p>I already asked two teachers for recs, math and english. I'm pretty social and outgoing in math class (mainly because I had people to talk to) but I was introverted in english, though I contributed to discussion (I didn't really talk outside of discussion to anyone during some free time). What happens if one teacher rec mentions "this student is really social and outgoing" and the other says "this student contributes but is very quiet?" Wouldn't that be slightly contradictory?</p>
<p>good question^ chinny...anyone have an answer? it seems as though t-recs could often contradict one another but also be truthful and informative.</p>
<p>in my brief stint working in my college's admissions office, i was shocked at the number of lukewarm recommendations that i saw or heard about. just because you got an a in the class and the teacher is verbally abusive towards you does not mean that they will write that the you are the greatest person ever.</p>
<p>also, you need to waive your rights to see the letter. a letter without waived rights does not hold much water.</p>
<p>I'm not sure that colleges are looking for students who are extroverted in a strictly social sense. I mean, chatting with friends during class is not necessarily what you want in a student. I think they're probably looking for extroverts who are engaged in discussions and in their education in general. </p>
<p>Personally I doubt that they're specifically looking for extroverts. I would imagine that if extroverts are over-represented at the most selective schools, it's because they tend to be the kids who are the most involved...so they would tend to get the best teacher recommendations.</p>
<p>theres a difference between good recs and great recs. My HS math teacher, who I spent nearly all of my high school time with because he taught me how to destroy math team competitions, play the guitar, build robots, etc. wrote me a very short recommendation. It was about half a page, but it brings tears to my eyes because he said "Above all, I believe in X". I think thats what makes or breaks the recommendation. Colleges want to see that teachers (for the most part, colleges respect teachers and have faith in what agents of education are saying), believe firmly that the student will do something amazing with his life. They don't want to know that youre always prepared for class, ace tests, very bright - that is a good rec.</p>
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theres a difference between good recs and great recs. My HS math teacher, who I spent nearly all of my high school time with because he taught me how to destroy math team competitions, play the guitar, build robots, etc. wrote me a very short recommendation. It was about half a page, but it brings tears to my eyes because he said "Above all, I believe in X". I think thats what makes or breaks the recommendation. Colleges want to see that teachers (for the most part, colleges respect teachers and have faith in what agents of education are saying), believe firmly that the student will do something amazing with his life. They don't want to know that youre always prepared for class, ace tests, very bright - that is a good rec.
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<p>Frankly, this is the best summary of a good versus a great recommendation I've read in quite a while.</p>
<p>Regarding the "why are teacher recs even required?" point- Though not true in all cases, for many students the teacher recommendation is another window into the student's life, especially if a teacher knows a student well personally. For instance, I had my APUSH teacher write one of my recommendations last year. Admittedly, I did not try as hard as I might have in that class, but she knew that I really did like it- I just happened to like science more. She was my quiz bowl coach, too, which let her know me in a non-school setting, so we knew each other decently well. I have no idea what her rec said, or if it was even good or not, but I know that she was able to tell my first choice school that I'd wanted to go there since 7th grade.</p>
<p>That line was mentioned on my acceptance letter. </p>
<p>Don't underestimate the power of the pen of someone who knows you well.</p>