<p>I've gotten increasingly nervous from looking through this board, as it seems my recommendations are looking less and less stellar.</p>
<p>The question:</p>
<p>Is a good recommendation one that reads more like one of my essays, or is it one that gives the greatest amount of information?</p>
<p>For instance, my teachers use some generalities when writing about me. "I know there are times when Q is physically and mentally exhausted from his activities, yet he never shirks his responsibilities." Is this okay, or should examples be given?</p>
<p>Also, are lists generally discouraged? I was thinking that they should pick 2 or 3 activities instead and write about what I did to do well in them.</p>
<p>I think your recommendations will come out best if the people who know and like you are able to express themselves about you. Yes, you want to pick good writers and people who have the most positive image of you, but beyond that I don't think you want to control what they say. I actually asked not to see mine because it isn't for me to judge, you know? Not that I'm not curious, and I don't blame you for wondering, but as long as they are able to express your best qualities I think you're fine.</p>
<p>I was just wondering what everyone is doing for their recommendation writers if they get in. I was thinking maybe giving them a Dartmouth mug filled with candy and a thank-note. Is this too much?</p>
<p>I usually get my teachers five dollar gift cards at semester. I'm getting my rec teachers ten dollar ones with a nice note. How funny that semester is the day we find out.</p>
<p>I'm from a small town in the middle of Wisconsin.</p>
<p>Luckily, Wisconsin spends enough on public schools to make mine a great one, but it's tough competing with Milwaukee and Madison kids.</p>
<p>Anyway, I have to get back to my essays. I'm so incredibly frustrated, since I can write for days about anything......except myself. I'm from the "those who deserve to brag don't need to" school of thought, so it's torture right now.</p>
<p>Um, athena? I'm not sure how to ask this. Would you consider it cheating if I you sent me your essay, so I could see the style of my fellow Dartmouth applicants? If I could just understand the pacing and wording I'm supposed to use, I'm sure it would help me immensely. If you think it would hurt your chances (though we live in different states), that's fine.</p>
<p>I'm actually not an applicant... I'm a Dartmouth 06. I don't think I have my essays anymore, but if you want to email me yours I would be happy to proofread it. My email is <a href="mailto:amm06@dartmouth.edu">amm06@dartmouth.edu</a>. (My real name is Amanda, btw)</p>
<p>I grew up on eastern Long Island, although I was born in the city, and my essay was pretty much about my town and the obstacles I overcame coming from a lower middle class neighborhood/high school.</p>