<p>im assuming u have read them, therefore i would like to know, what is it that makes your reccomendation so special??? can u guys type out the first few lines of ur rec if possible???</p>
<p>also if someone gets all "exceptional" check marks but 1 quality (character/integrity) is marked as "insufficient for basis", does that look bad???</p>
<p>This is just IMO but i think it would look pretty stupid if someone got all like perfect checkmarks from their teacher rec...you want it to actually highlight strengths and weaknesses, not just be a quick thing the teacher did to get u off their back.</p>
<p>yea my school's policy is NOT to check any thing that is highest. so they checked everything that is second highest (that's what they told me). if it's true, it kinda silly.</p>
<p>I agree with the above comments about the checkmarking; I would think that all 'exceptional' checkmarks would indicate a false knowledge of the student...or a rushed job. Neither of which a college wants. But who knows, some students are just that exceptional. (Certainly not many, it's that teacher's prerogative to think whatever he or she wants.)</p>
<p>As for the recommendation question... I've read my letter, but not in a manner where I could quote lines from it. I only got to read mine because the teacher offered; I didn't ask -keep that in mind. </p>
<p>What makes my recommendation special is that the teacher that wrote it knows me very well, not only academically but also personally. One of my "defining" qualities is that I am an artist. An artist in drawing, painting, graphic design, and writing. And she managed to write her entire letter around that concept. It was amazing.</p>
<p>yea my teacher actually just gave it to me openly and said to make copies and send it to whichever colleges u want</p>
<p>I could either get a teacher rec or counselor rec, so my counselor offered to write one for me. She basically asked me some things about myself (what I was interested in, some activies I had been involved in, how my friends would describe me, etc) and then asked what I really wanted included in my letter of rec.</p>
<p>From there, she wrote it, gave it to me to look at and take home, see if there was anything I wanted changed or added, and then she sent it off to the school for me. It was awesome. ;]</p>
<p>wow- i bet u think ur mr. "integrity" or somethin- u have a need to make the anonymous posters know that u- apparently Jesus- read BUT DID NOT MEMORIZE his teacher recs.</p>
<p>I bet you tore those envelopes open the minute after u left the classroom, and then carefully resealed it (with tape and glue) so that the colleges wouldnt be the wiser. I know u read and edited those letters.</p>
<p>BTW (BY THE WAY)</p>
<p>I bet u saw the embellished letters sayiing you were a mediocre artist and exploded in ur pants.</p>
<p>Mr. Gentleman.. please shut up
He is helping sumone so please keep ou if you have nothing worthwile to say other than insult other people</p>
<p>Sonic, u arent supposed to seeur reco's but u can guess what u will get. My Physics teach thinks highly of me (i think).. so I expected a good one from him. </p>
<p>Highlighting u is whats important. If they go in detail like</p>
<p>"sonic is a bright stuent who has a phenomenal memory which he uses to his maximum potential. He has a strong desire to learn that is reflected in his class participation and performance. His written work is no shortfall as it exibhits the spirit within"
"He is a avid reader and is good in sports. His leadership qualitiies were apparent to the staff and he was hence nominated as House leADER..."</p>
<p>Summat like that (Im making it up on the spot) but they want to know about YOU not only your achievements. Even iof you are not good in say elocution
"Sonic, though not an expert at public speaking, earns admiration from his peers for his nevenrending effor and perseverance"</p>
<p>Request him/her to not put blanketstatements like he is a 'good;' stuedent and is very 'nice'. If a personality is eing talkjed about</p>
<p>" He is a charming young man whose reputation preceeds him. I was surprised at the constant level of kindness and courtesey he exibhited, both to the staff and his peers"</p>
<p>The checkmarks are extra. They are objective like Character.. Marks.. etc. But if you are stellar, the college wants to HEAR about it... so be detailed and attach a page if necessary...</p>
<p>so one bad does ot signify anything. all exceptional is great, back ythat up with a good letter... and ur all game</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>hahahahaha</p>
<p>sonic, the checkmarks don't really matter. the content of what your teacher wrote is far more important. if your teacher gives candor praises and the rest of your app reflects that,don't worry about the checkmarks.</p>
<p>a special recs is one that describes you on a personal level. "hardworking", "conscientious" and "clever" don't make the cut. specific examples of "always wanting to do things on his/her own initiative" is beter.</p>
<p>wish you luck!</p>
<p>thank you everyone appreciate input</p>
<p>yep. banedon17 is right. One more thing.. The checkmarks are general. They may say EXCELLENT for ability, but the reco tell them HOW you are excellent</p>
<p>thanks mods!</p>
<p>I'm guessing that specific instances are the best. One of my recommenders talks about how I failed my first honors geometry quiz with a 35 (but then worked really hard and was one of the best students in that class for the rest of the year). He even talked about my family and my sense of humor and my appearance :).</p>
<p>My tip is to write a letter to the "recommender" when you ask for recommendations. I wrote very personal letters, not really sucking-up, just mostly thanking them for their time and why I chose them to write recommendations. I also included my resume and a comprehensive list of the colleges to which I'm applying and their due dates AND my choice of major at each college.</p>
<p>I bet making everything nice and easy makes the letters ever-so-slightly better...:)</p>
<p>haha i never got to read mine, but i assume they are good</p>