I am really in the dark about the right way to go about getting teacher recs. Should you prepare a brief resume type thing so the teachers will know more about what to write about you, or should they just be left alone to write as they see you? Also, are gifts normal for after they’ve written recs?
<p>You should be asking teachers that already know you well enough to write from the top of their heads, but it's vital that you still provide a resume for them so they can take qualities from your personality and help relate it to your ECs.</p>
<p>A simple thank-you card should suffice. It's the norm.</p>
<p>Resumes are essential, but also check with your school's guidance office. My school required filling out a special "recommendation request" form to give to the teacher... it was basically a streamlined resume with more information focusing on the classes you've taken with the teacher.</p>
<p>It is CRITICAL that when you ask a teacher for a rec you also ask that teacher if they will be able to write a strong rec. This IS 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.</p>
<p>If you could ask every teacher you've had for their opinion, many times the result would be mixed bag. And sometimes a teacher you assume would like you (due to a high grade, for example) sees things differently. There is no shame or dishonor in deliberately selecting those who hold a favorable opinion to write a rec.</p>
<p>And while it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. In the book "The Gatekeepers" is an example of a bad rec.
[quote]
There were times, I must admit,that I thought Tiffany might have taken a stronger interest in mastering the material in our course. When I saw that Tiffany was a National Merit Semi-Finalist I was a bit surprised. While clearly bright and competent, I had seen in Tiffany neither an exceptional skill for testing nor a particular affinity for the subject.
[/quote]
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>I've seen this more with work recomendations, but some people seem totally incapable of writing complimentary stuff about anyone. Sometimes I think they can't admit that anyone is better than themselves. A recomendation on Einstein might go that Al is quite adequate with his math skills and has learned a lot under my guidance, but he often doesn't seem to pay enough attention in class. I know that it is hard to judge someone's ability to write recs, but try to find someone who will say nice things about you. The teacher needs to be from either junior or senior year.</p>