<p>How much do recommendations actually matter?
Are there certain kinds of recommendation letters admissions people love/hate seeing?</p>
<p>My Spanish teacher purposely wrote a short one so the readers don't get pi$$ed off reading this huge list of blah. Basically he wrote that I'm smart and hard-working and that I would be a moral asset to the campus because I'm "confident without being arrogant, and competitive without being aggressive." :p</p>
<p>I assume it's a good thing that it's concise but do colleges really care for straightforward, modest kids as opposed to the "WINNERS NEVER QUIT!!!!!!" variety?</p>
<p>I can’t say. Not employed in admissions. For ME, I’d think the most standout recs would include something PERSONAL (“When I had this child in my class he frequently stayed after the bell to help another child who struggled a lot”, or “This child always contributed meaningful insight to class discussions”)…as opposed to generic traits. </p>
<p>BUT…unfortunately…you get what you get. You can’t make them say anything, of course. I’m actually VERY glad that we do not get the option to see my daughter’s recommendations. I think one should get to…because why would you send them if they’re not stellar? BUT…it puts stress on the writer to rave, even if they don’t want to…then they’re meaningless. And it makes the kid who reads it…question every little word (“is this good enough”)…as you are. I’m sure it’s a perfectly lovely recommendation. Try not to stress.</p>