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Prism · 05-31-2009, 04:19 AM

I've got a few questions I would really appreciate answers for:

1) Does it hurt that one of the teachers I'm asking for a rec. has only taught 3 years? This is actually his first year teaching AP, but we've really clicked and I see him as an older brother. Will that hurt?
2) How do you go about telling your teacher that this recommendation is so important (etc. etc.) without sounding offensive? Or is it wise to just straight up ask them if they would write a good/comfortable recommendation letter?
3) Is it good to have a range of recommendations? I have 3 teachers in mind, plus my speech and debate coach. I am also pretty familiar with two other teachers -- should I ask them for recommendations for other colleges? * For the colleges that don't use CommonApp..* Should I just stick to the two + coach then?
4) Does having a senior year teacher do a recommendation look less than a junior year one?

One more question, this is kind of dilemma-ish:

I'm between choosing my biology teacher, my chem teacher and my English teacher for my 2nd recommendation. The biology and English teachers have taught for a long time (I would guess they are in their late 50's/early 60's). The chemistry teacher is in about her mid-40's and has taught a good amount. However, the biology & english teachers don't teach very well (to be completely honest), and they're known for their stubbornness and traditional ideals. On the other hand, the chemistry teacher has less experience. The biology teacher likes me, but she doesn't know me very well. I have slept in her class often (but she apparently doesn't mind) which is something I worry about, but she knows I work hard. However, I've come to her afterschool to learn from her and basically, my grades have improved from failing to tests to now getting 99's on her tests which I think is something she could talk about. Should I let her know about that? Although she's strict, she is sympathetic -- she changed one of my 92.4's into a 93 for one quarter. // My chemistry teacher fluctuates all the time. Some days, she loves me and other days she'll call me out on random things. One main advantage I have with her (or disadvantage) is that I've had her two years already (sophomore year honors chemistry) but in that class, I slept a lot and she jokes about it sometimes.. This year, I've slept a bit, but improved, and she noticed that. She does know that I care about my grades a lot -- but she did discuss with me how "learning the material > grades" when I asked to see my grades and tried to fix them. However, she does know my talents and skills (I applied for a music school for high school last year and she was sad that she had to do the recommendation for me), but this year, I feel less connected with her. She is though a very nice person at heart, willing to always teach, and her two sons have been through the same program that I am in (same school too) so she knows how important things are. // The other teacher, my English teacher is a different story. She's caught me sleeping a few times and actually deducted points from my grade that way (she changed it when she realized it affected my grade, lol). She is a bit outspoken and blunt, and she knows my writing is really good. I work with a lot now because she sponsors NHS/Interact, and I'm the President of Interact Club. The thing is, I have no idea how she writes recommendation letters; I've never seen her write before.

I will have all these teachers senior year; the biology teacher for AP bio (this year was IB bio), the chemistry teacher for AP chem (this year was IB chem) and the English teacher for Theory of Knowledge. I will obv. be working with the English/TOK teacher next year seeing as I will be Interact President.

What do you guys think about that situation? Should I go ahead and get rec's from all 3 and then see if I can read both of them and choose which is best to go with my history teacher's recommendation? Should I talk it out with them? By now, they should know what kind of person I am, but I don't know if it's too late in the year to give them a "story to talk about." I've heard rumors that the biology teacher never writes anything outstanding, but I fear that an English/History combination is a bit odd since I am applying to some science-powered schools. The chemistry teacher is honestly a toss-up but I feel that as a mother of two IB kids, she understands how important this is.

Thanks!!

My school year ends Wednesday, so I want to talk to these teachers before the school year wraps up.

05-31-2009, 04:19 AM	#588
Prism Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 382	I've got a few questions I would really appreciate answers for: 1) Does it hurt that one of the teachers I'm asking for a rec. has only taught 3 years? This is actually his first year teaching AP, but we've really clicked and I see him as an older brother. Will that hurt? 2) How do you go about telling your teacher that this recommendation is so important (etc. etc.) without sounding offensive? Or is it wise to just straight up ask them if they would write a good/comfortable recommendation letter? 3) Is it good to have a range of recommendations? I have 3 teachers in mind, plus my speech and debate coach. I am also pretty familiar with two other teachers -- should I ask them for recommendations for other colleges? * For the colleges that don't use CommonApp..* Should I just stick to the two + coach then? 4) Does having a senior year teacher do a recommendation look less than a junior year one? One more question, this is kind of dilemma-ish: I'm between choosing my biology teacher, my chem teacher and my English teacher for my 2nd recommendation. The biology and English teachers have taught for a long time (I would guess they are in their late 50's/early 60's). The chemistry teacher is in about her mid-40's and has taught a good amount. However, the biology & english teachers don't teach very well (to be completely honest), and they're known for their stubbornness and traditional ideals. On the other hand, the chemistry teacher has less experience. The biology teacher likes me, but she doesn't know me very well. I have slept in her class often (but she apparently doesn't mind) which is something I worry about, but she knows I work hard. However, I've come to her afterschool to learn from her and basically, my grades have improved from failing to tests to now getting 99's on her tests which I think is something she could talk about. Should I let her know about that? Although she's strict, she is sympathetic -- she changed one of my 92.4's into a 93 for one quarter. // My chemistry teacher fluctuates all the time. Some days, she loves me and other days she'll call me out on random things. One main advantage I have with her (or disadvantage) is that I've had her two years already (sophomore year honors chemistry) but in that class, I slept a lot and she jokes about it sometimes.. This year, I've slept a bit, but improved, and she noticed that. She does know that I care about my grades a lot -- but she did discuss with me how "learning the material > grades" when I asked to see my grades and tried to fix them. However, she does know my talents and skills (I applied for a music school for high school last year and she was sad that she had to do the recommendation for me), but this year, I feel less connected with her. She is though a very nice person at heart, willing to always teach, and her two sons have been through the same program that I am in (same school too) so she knows how important things are. // The other teacher, my English teacher is a different story. She's caught me sleeping a few times and actually deducted points from my grade that way (she changed it when she realized it affected my grade, lol). She is a bit outspoken and blunt, and she knows my writing is really good. I work with a lot now because she sponsors NHS/Interact, and I'm the President of Interact Club. The thing is, I have no idea how she writes recommendation letters; I've never seen her write before. I will have all these teachers senior year; the biology teacher for AP bio (this year was IB bio), the chemistry teacher for AP chem (this year was IB chem) and the English teacher for Theory of Knowledge. I will obv. be working with the English/TOK teacher next year seeing as I will be Interact President. What do you guys think about that situation? Should I go ahead and get rec's from all 3 and then see if I can read both of them and choose which is best to go with my history teacher's recommendation? Should I talk it out with them? By now, they should know what kind of person I am, but I don't know if it's too late in the year to give them a "story to talk about." I've heard rumors that the biology teacher never writes anything outstanding, but I fear that an English/History combination is a bit odd since I am applying to some science-powered schools. The chemistry teacher is honestly a toss-up but I feel that as a mother of two IB kids, she understands how important this is. Thanks!! My school year ends Wednesday, so I want to talk to these teachers before the school year wraps up.
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