Hi there I have a dilema, im planning to apply to some of the top schools (think HYP) abd I would like to know which of the recs I should use.
These schools’ basic policy on this is pick 2 and only add a third if it is absolutely necessary to show this new perspective otherwise they might look down upon reading yet more paperwork for no reason.
Teacher A: 25ish years of teaching, foreign languages. This teacher loves me. I got 100% in the class (highest mark) even though I never study and the teacher knows it. This teacher always talk with me afterschool about everything, the teacher def knows all my interests and passions. I would say best knows my capabilities and would prob put me as one of the best the teacher has ever taught.
Teacher B: English teacher, 20ish years of teaching. B said to my parents that I’m the brightest B has ever taught. B knows my writing skills and since I had writing class with B last year B knows me and the things I think and write about well due to reading my writing. I was also the #1 studebt in B’s class
Teacher C: 40+ years of experience. Teaches 3 different types if histories, I was in two of them last year so I got lots of time with C. I was top student in both those classes. This is all great and stuff but C mainly knows my academic prowess and perhaps knows more of my political leanings than A or C. Despite not knowing me as well on a personal level, C knows my passion via essays written on historical topics. Idk whether C considers me one of the best as my parents didnt have a parent teacher conf with C, but C told me ny essays were the best C ever read.
Teacher D: 15+ years. In a non-core class (one related to journalism). Knows me very well both due to the class and my work and due to outside interactions. I was the top student by a large margin in D’s class last year and I know for a fact D considers me the best student D has met in D’s career.
This year I am going to have class with B and D again, I am also going to continue running a couple of clubs with A. However I doubt I am going to have much interaction with C.
The way I see it A is a no-brainer. A knows me best, has a decent career length and I generally like A the most. I just dont know who to pick as 2nd. B knows me more on the literary and personal level, C knows me more in a political/acadmic level and D knows me better in a activist/journalistic/personal level
B and C seem like good choices for teacher recommendations. You want to submit recommendations from teachers with whom you have core classes. If you feel that they won’t be adequate enough, submit a recommendation from a club sponsor, coach, or maybe principal (if that is an option and he knows you well) in the other recommenders section.
I think B or C are your best bets for a second letter of recommendation.
As for a third, it can’t be another teacher rec- do you have someone outside of school who could speak about you in a different light?
Hopefully teacher A wouldn’t mention that you never study, colleges won’t look at that very kindly because a lot of people that don’t build a proper work ethic in high school can burn out later. In terms of teacher C, why do you need to wait to have a parent teacher conference with C? you should be the one in active communication with all rec letter writers and if you are considering teacher C, you should probably have a conversation with him/her to find out.
Otherwise i agree witht he previous posters, B and C seem good and for the third letter you should see if you can get a letter from someone that can talk about something more than academics (adviser for a club, research mentor, etc).
I should clarify that I never study for A’s class because it’s foreign language and I generally practice my FL in enjoyable ways (i.e reading literature, watching movies, etc).
How should i go about asking them for recs? Should i straight up ask them whether they would write that I am one of the best they’ve taught in their careers? I was hoping I could get my parents to ask those at parent teacher conferences in late-september to save me from being too upfront.
Should I discuss about what traits/aspects of me to write so as not to have the teachers repreat the same info? Should I read their recs and then ask them to redo if I dont feel 100% satisfied with it (I would feel horrible if i had to).
As for school clubs I run 3 of them, my guidance counsellor is the supervisor for one and Teacher A is for the other two so I think they’ll get mentioned.
How did you guys go about asking teachers to write recs?
It sounds like your really want to ask teacher A -because Foreign Languages are your passion (from previous post) so, yes ask teacher A! But then my advice would be to ask a science or a math teacher for your next recommendation. This will give HYP a broader perspective of you. Schools like a broad perspective… two language teachers (even if one is English is too narrow IMO).
All you have to do to ask the teacher for a recommendation is
Relax and trust the system- these teachers have been teaching for 25-40 years they are well aware and well versed in how to write a recommendation letter.
2.Please do not at any point tell them what you want them to write nor have your parents do that. That is not how it works.
3.Tell them how much you have enjoyed their class and ask if they would be willing to write your letter of recommendation for college
When you see on Naviance (if your school has it) that they have submitted your recommendation perhaps write them a thank you note or maybe a small $10 coffee gift card would be an very appreciated gesture.
@MurphyBrown Sons GC is the one that suggested kids send a SMALL token AFTER the recommendation is submitted… as it builds good will for teachers writing letters (taking extra time from their schedules to do this)… so teachers look forward to writing letters for future students and will gladly continue to put extra effort in writing these letters in the future…
This isn’t any kind of wrong message. (they can’t change your rec after they submit it)
I also like the idea of asking GC who writes the best letters… Your GC will know this!
I would approach the teaher and ask if he/she would be willing to write you a positive LOR for college. If a teacher agrees, you should ask if there is anything they would like you to provide him/her to help write the letter. (ex. a resume if you have one, a list of activities etc.).
And agree that if you provide a third letter it should not be from a teacher but rather from someone who knows you in a non-academic setting and can speak to other parts of your personality etc. (ex. boss, coach, club advisor etc.)
And in our HS some students give small gifts to the teachers/GC, but it is generally done after the college decisions are in and a choice is made. My kids gave a small gift and wrote a handwritten note thanking the teacher/guidance counselor for his/her help and letting him/her know what college they would be attending the next year.