teachers don't know me well = bad recs?

Applying to College
1

<p>Yesterday, when I asked my English teacher to write me a letter, he said "yes, i'll do it", but in such a "I was your teacher, so i guess i have to do it" kind of tone, with eyes facing the floor. I don't know, i've always kind of had the feeling around him that he doesn't really care much about me as a person, but rather he liked my writings. So, being the tactless dolt I am, i said, "If you don't want to, you don't have to do it". To which he replies, "I'll do it - you were a very good writer, you got a 5 on the AP Exam", which definitely was not what i wanted to hear. After all, colleges don't want to hear stuff like, "this student always did her hw"... Well DUH, if i got an A in the class, i MUST have done my work! Then, on the spur of the moment, i say, "If you can't make it personal, then you don't have to do it". to which, he mechanically defends in his tired voice, "i'll make it personal". </p>

<p>I totally sounded like i didn't believe in his abilities or my relationship with him, which is not totally untrue. I don't know. I don't want my recommendations to suck. He sometimes seems so depressed and jaded that i really can't find a way to get to know him as a person. I guess this is kind of my fault for not building a better relationship with my teacher. </p>

<p>The thing about wanting to ask this teacher is this - in March of my junior year, he made copies of this one essay i wrote, to share with the class and to keep as future models for an AP prompt. Yea, i was pretty honored. And plus, he IS an ENGLISH TEACHER, and he will write a way better essay than say (if he actually knew me....), my other teachers who write generic stuff like "very nice, hardworking person". </p>

<p>Another bad thing is this - i know some competitive privates read applications by regions - there are two guys in the class that i know my teacher REALLY REALLY likes and if he writes a BETTER rec for them than for me, wouldn't this make me look HORRIBLE. Sucks that high school is such a small place sometimes.</p>

<p>Should i ask another teacher? I have other options. Any advice would be appreciated. I am a social disaster.</p>

2

<p>Well, for one, you do have two teacher recommendations (usually), so hopefully the other will be strong. Was he the best option initially? Right now, you've asked him to write it. Perhaps he just wasn't having a good day. Perhaps you're doubt has given him the resolve to write you an awesome letter.</p>

<p>I personally would stick with him and try to find someone who would write an equally strong if not stronger letter.</p>

3

<p>No, he was about second/third best option. I wanted him to write my second rec.</p>

<p>My first choice was my math teacher - he already wrote me a rec for my internship and he showed me the letter. It had the phrase "one of the best students of my career" in it. (Whether or not that's true... i kind of doubt it).</p>

<p>I swear some teachers are SOOO into students who get a couple perfects on their tests. My physics teacher is just like my math teacher. It seems like all they want is perfect score after perfect score.</p>

<p>btw, did u have a chance to read my essay?</p>

4

<p>Bad vibes coming across here ... I'd say "That's okay, I know this is a really busy time of year" and head for the door. Too bad 'cause it looked like you did well in the class, but if the answer isn't an enthusiastic YES! you could really be shooting yourself in the foot</p>

5

<p>Yea. :(</p>

<p>I didn't give him my stuff just yet, because it was during passing period (and he had class in two minutes) and he told me to give it to him on another day. </p>

<p>Trust me, I wanted him to say "no" or at least a "to be honest, i can't do a very good job" kind of thing. but he had to say "yes, i'll do it". How could i then all of a sudden, just say, "Okay nevermind? I understand?" </p>

<p>I was stupid enough to say like "if you can't do a good job, you don't have to do it" i mean, who the HELL says that? UGH.</p>

<p>And the situation was already so awkward, but he still insisted he'll do it and hinted that he'll do a good job. but still in a forced manner. asdfjkl;</p>

6

<p>If he's going to write it there's not much you can do now. However I think recs are better when the person tells more about your character and nuances than your academic accomplishments which are so easily seen on the application. So I think this could hurt you.</p>

7

<p>ehh. I didn't give him my resume/supplement stuff yet. I could be an a$$ and blow him off. Which is not what i want to do, but I do have a French teacher who I know likes me. I fail.</p>

<p>Is it necessary for the teacher to really know you on a personal level? </p>

<p>Do teachers let their students see their recs?</p>