<p>How important are these? I've been thinking about my application and I think this may be the weakest part just because I'm a slacker at times. I have a really close relationship with one teacher, but that's because he's also my track/xc coach. I have no idea who to ask for a math/science rec but I doubt it will be amazing or anyhting. Can this make the difference between accept and reject?</p>
<p>To be 100% frank, the more selective schools where teacher recs will be part of your portfolio may be a reach if indeed you've been a slacker. The rec writer is ethically bound to give honest impressions of your performance and potential, both academically and otherwise. Your math/sci rec may reflect a lukewarm opinion of you that would likely lead to a reject from very selective schools. </p>
<p>That being said, there are a great many schools where teacher recs don't come into play. Speak to your guidance counselor about what types of schools would be good choices for your search. Regardless, speak to your track coach about the rec.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>After seeing that seeing stanford only wants 11/12 and seenig as how I don't see any junior year teachers that could give me a stellar rec i was wondering</p>
<p>How bad are senior year recs? I think I'm jsut going to start sucking up to my senior year english and math teachers, who are both familiar with who I am. The english teacehr had me freshman year and the calc BC teacher is a princeton grad who thinks highly of me. I guess that's what...2-3 months of trying to stand out, depending on early or regular. Can this last ditch effort work? im desperate here! This is probably the only hole in my app and I dont want it being the reason for a rejection.</p>
<p>well, If you're applying ED then what time do you have to build a relationship with your senior year teachers (if they are new) I don't know what to tell you Cory :D I also hope you know that part of Columbia's teacher Rec is the sheet where it asks teachers an evaluation of leadership, maturity, growth etc.</p>
<p>Reminds me of the episode of BOys meets workd when Cory had a hard time getting a reccomendation from Mr. Feeney lol</p>
<p>lol thanks a lot. I guess I'll just do what I can. Both of these teachers already know who I am, and I've had one and worked with the other on projects.</p>
<p>that was an awesome show though</p>
<p>
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How bad are senior year recs?
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</p>
<p>If I'm not mistaken, on teacher rec forms, there is a question that asks "how long have you known this student and in what context?". Although senior recs might not be as personal as a rec from a teacher who has taught you for some time, colleges will take into account how long the teacher has been teaching you. Obviously, they expect 1-year teachers to not write as great in detail. How this affects your application I'm not sure. Generally, teacher recommendations are the most important factors along with the essay and extracurricular activities/awards. Colleges, from your test scores and grades, can easily see that you're smart. But the teacher recommendations show HOW you gained success in academics and extracurriculars and HOW you react to setbacks both academic and personal. Colleges use these anecdotes and pieces of information to judge how you might take advantage of the opportunities available there. </p>
<p><em>800th post!</em></p>
<p>alright, well the english teacher has known me for 3 years since i had her freshman year. Calc teacher maybe 2 years. But, I think this is just for stanford. For all other schools that allow sophomore teahcers, I'll be asking my history teacher, who's also my xc/track coach so that should be a pretty personal rec.</p>
<p>But I can do that right? Send 2 senior recs for stanford, but 1 senior and 1 soph for all other schools?</p>
<p>to me, I highly doubt it matters what grade. As long as this is a teacher that knows you well, have taught you, and can write in specific details about your strengths.</p>
<p>If the teachers from the senior year have taught you in any other year, you are just fine. I have read somewhere on CC that you should have recs from a teacher from your junior year OR from your senior year and sophomore year, both in order to know you long enough and well enough.</p>
<p>For Stanford, you might consider having your history teacher/track coach send a supplementary letter which will definitely boost your application. I also had a similar dilemma when I applied to Stanford a year ago. My biology/anatomy teacher knew me extremely well both in and outside of class but she only taught me for grades 9 and 10 and retired afterwards so I had her send a supplementary rec. It all worked out in the end!</p>
<p>angelutza its not only about the teacher teaching you. she must know you well enough to write at least a page about you and if im not mistaken cory is planning on applying ED. unless you live with you're teacher, what time do you have to develop a relationshipw ith her in two months or so?</p>