How to ask for recommendations? - Page 8

bigreddawgie · 12-08-2007, 07:18 PM

r u sure there isnt a 2? im pretty sure mine printed out 1 and 2.

yihan.zhu · 12-09-2007, 05:46 AM

HOW can I ask my teacher politely to make my letter a bit longer?
It's half a page only right now, i would like a one-pager......

thanks!

Student615 · 12-09-2007, 03:10 PM

Personally, I'd say it's not really up to you to ask that. Presumably, your teacher has said what he or she wants to say about you. Added info would likely be superfluous or less strong, and either way the letter is probably better without it.

I hope others will weigh in, because maybe I'm just too passive. But in my mind, asking for a longer letter when an application doesn't require one (i.e. asking just because you want one) seems outside of your rights.

Quality, not quantity.

yihan.zhu · 12-15-2007, 06:57 AM

hey guys

for our reference letters, is it ok if the teacher prints it out on letter head, SIGNS IT, and then, make copies?

i mean, i won't have a fresh signature on each copy....is that still acceptable?

(i have the same question for the common app recommendation form)

thanks!

almawins · 12-17-2007, 10:02 AM

is it ok if the counselor photocopies one common application secondary school form and sends the photocopies to different colleges
thanks

Gabs91 · 01-13-2008, 04:55 PM

Hi, I'm a junior this year and I wanted to have my Algebra II/Trig Teacher and Ceramics teacher do my letter of rec. I perform well in my math class and work hard, but I don't know my teacher personally, I just know I'm a good student. I am confident that he will write me a nice letter.
In Ceramics, I will have had the same teacher for 3 years in ceramics 1, 2 and AP 3D. I am personally close to my teacher and love her class. I was only planning on taking ceramics for 1 year to fill my art requirement but I really ended loving my class and my teacher. I am doing well and I am learning alot. I am planning on sending an Arts Supplement to colleges.
I am worried however, because I have heard that schools rather have normal classes (History, math, Science and English) instead of arts. Do I have to rethink who I want to write my letter or will I be okay with this letter? Thanks!

stefanysoccer · 01-13-2008, 05:12 PM

well, many colleges REQUIRE that it is from a academic class. so you will have to have a different teacher write it. however, many colleges also accept more than 1 or 2 letters, so i think in your situation it would be great to include the letter from the ceramics teacher, if it reveals something new about you not previously mentioned in your app.

nevergettingin · 01-15-2008, 11:29 PM

What is the verdict on giving gifts? I was under the impression that it was common and almost understood.

serenaxcheelam · 02-12-2008, 11:43 PM

Hey guys---
I have a teacher who promised to write my recs. I gave her all of my forms and she said that she would complete and send them in.
months past and i check online the status of my application and all of my private colleges said that they have not received her rec yet. so i go talk to her and she said that she sent everything in. I asked her to resend it and she says ok.
a week pasts and still no results. One of my colleges said that they must receive missing documents by this friday, so I print out all the directions and fax numbers for my colleges and asked her again if she could fax them in (because i know that she didnt mail them)
I really dont know what I should do. My parents said that I should get her a gift tomorrow and tell her thanks for sending in my rec (jsut in case she didnt yet) to encourage her to send them in. my parents say that i should get her a 50 dollar gift card, but I feel that I am really bribing her, and it doesnt feel right. what should i do?

stefanysoccer · 02-13-2008, 12:25 AM

serenaxcheelam: bummer! that is frustrating. but i am sure the colleges won't fault you.

i recommend a hand-written thank you and staring her down.

serenaxcheelam · 02-13-2008, 12:34 AM

really? I mean, could i just explain it to them? would they be like---she is just trying to make up excuses?
i am really stressed out about this.
i really want to explain my situation to my colleges, but i dont know if it will make a difference.
any opinions?

stefanysoccer · 02-13-2008, 02:19 AM

Hum, I'm not too wise, I wonder what others would say?

All my schools seem like its okay if one or two forms are late. Just thats the vibe I get from the application status websites and such.

Classik · 02-17-2008, 02:31 AM

Current Junior. GC recommends only asking 11th grade teachers to write recs. Would this be advisable? It forces me into asking for a letter from a science teacher; while that wouldn't be horrible, I'll mainly be applying to LACs and would prefer to ask a history teacher from soph year who knows me much better.

Gotta love the bureaucracy.

Student615 · 02-17-2008, 10:33 AM

If your soph history teacher knows you much better, that's who you want to ask. Your GC's concern is probably that work from before 11th grade won't really be representative of your college potential. If you're happy with how you presented yourself as a 10th grader, then don't worry about it.

When you talk to your history teacher, you might just address this straight out...you realize it's been awhile since she had you in class, but you'd still love her to write your rec if she's willing, and would it be helpful for you to provide a more recent writing sample, or a copy of your application essay?

Also, is there any chance that you'll have this soph history teacher again, either as a senior or in some sort of EC? I got one rec from an English teacher I had in both 9th and 12th grade (I changed a lot in the meantime...I never would have asked her based on 9th grade alone). If you talk to her regularly, work with her outside of class, or might have her again, then any "it's been too long, she doesn't really know you now" concern is a non-issue.

First and foremost: Talk to your GC. Tell her your concern, let her know you'd rather ask one of your soph teachers, and find out whether she thinks that's an alright idea. If she does, then everyone's in agreement...great. If she doesn't, then at least you'll have a more clear idea of why and you can make your decision from there.

arwen15 · 02-17-2008, 11:35 AM

Classik, GCs usually have your best interest at heart. They look
good when you get in to the best colleges. My guidance office
is bureaucratic too but my GC is outstanding. So, usually the rules
are in place to help you even if you do not appreciate initially why
they are in place.

If you are in an EC club with the Soph teacher or are in constant contact
due to some other legitimate formal activity it would be fine to get your
additional rec from this teacher.

Getting the main recc from a soph teacher otherwise is fraught with
misinterpretation....your collegelike courses are typically in 11th and
12th....the reccs reflect your ability to hack college... Also choose who
gives you the recommendation not only by how well they know you but
their ability to write in english and their track record in past years as a
recommender. This has a major impact on your admittance.