Teacher Strike and Letters of Recommendation

Applying to College
1

<p>For the past few years, the teachers in my school district have been working to an expired contract, and talks have been going on with the school board to get a new one signed. Starting in about the end of May, the teachers started using a union strategy known as "work to contract" in order to force the board to concede to their (ridiculous) desires. Some of the effects of this "work to contract" order are teachers not staying after school to help kids, not putting grades online, and most importantly, not writing letters of recommendation. This is particularly upsetting to me and my classmates as we will be entering our senior year and should be getting these required letters to apply to college. Now I am terrified that the issue will not be resolved with the union, and I will be unable to get any letters of recommendation. This is especially scary for me because the schools I am applying to are highly selective (MIT, Hopkins, Cornell, etc.), and I fear that not having these letters will basically destroy any chance of acceptance.</p>

<p>What should I do?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’d recommend sending emails to the schools you want to apply to. That will get you the best advice.</p>

<p>That being said, go ahead and look into getting outside recommendations. A boss at work, the head of an organization you volunteered at, etc.</p>

3

<p>Wow, if the teachers really refuse to write letters of recommendations then that’s really messed up. They may be trying to make a point, but that doesn’t mean they should ruin their students’ potential futures :confused: That’s just being selfish! They can change things WITHOUT negatively impacting every single student in their school (especially the seniors).</p>

<p>Yeah, i agree. Contact one of the colleges you’re looking at and see what they say. </p>

<p>Also, do you have a teacher that really likes you? Because if so, then they might be more inclined to help you out, even if it had to be done secretly. Teachers really don’t like to see their students fail.</p>

4

<p>Make sure you ask first before you bring it up as a problem. Most teachers are very caring for their students and may very well provide you a recommendation “off the books”</p>