az1698

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june

well, i think it is kind of granted that your rec will compliment you- and i think the issue is how it compliments you.

i only read my GC's rec, and not the other teachers, but my GC's rec was pretty insightful and personal- to an extent where i saw my self in a different aspect. haha. it did not list my extracurriculars or copied off my resume, but it told how my GC knew me as a person etc.
and i think her rec did some major part in my admissions for sure.

wildchartermage

would any body bother to post their letters of rec, if they can, so we all can make comparisions of what is "glowing" or "great", etc?
u can leave out all the sensitive info

PlattsburghLoser

I found an old thread to rehash!

Yes, I gave my instructor a gift after he wrote the recommendation and a brief letter explaining my gratitude. It was only a $1 bag of M&Ms, since he spent a vast majority of his time professing his undying love for all things chocolate.

I didn't see anything wrong with it because I gave it after he sent it and he knew nothing of my intentions to give it to him. It was also just a very small gesture. It wasn't as if I bought him a new Porshe and demanded he write me a gleaming recommendation.

I think it really depends on your relationship with the instructor and how you expect they'll receive it (gracious vs. offended)

ryanshroff

@ thepapercrane
teachers write alot of reccos thru the year...sometimes up to 70 even...so if u can mention to them a few important points or suggestions you would like them 2 add 2 your recommendations, they would appreciate it because it does make the entire process a little easier.
dont ask them straight out...just say something like "i was planning on applying to X and Y college, talk a little bit about ur chances and then ask them if they can put in a few specific things that u want mentioned so that ur application appears completely well rounded..."

ryanshroff

@ omarahmedkhan:
u can ask your external teacher to write a letter as a personal letter of recommendation.
i know for a fact that my HS chemistry teacher wrote a personal letter of recommendation for a student who did not study at my HS but who had worked with her on a research project...so it should be fine if u do the same

az1698

^That would be helpful to all

az1698

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FresnoMom

I had the opportunity to read my son's letters of recs. I would not consider any of the letters "amazing" but each writer somehow managed to write about the same thing....a particular character trait in my son. They all said it in different ways but it made a very cohesive package when read in conjunction with the application.

I did notice that the guidance counselor and one teacher spent about half the letter going over my son's ECs. It was ineffective. What was more powerful is when they zoomed in on one or two activities or quality traits.

GEAF

Hello,

My current Junior year daughter would like to know if the teacher letter of recommendations are typed or hand written. She has a teacher who she feels would write her a glowing letter of rec., but she fears his hand writing would be hard to read, if he didn't type it.

I thought I read that there might be a change for the common app., where the letter of recs or sent in online. Does anyone have any further information on that?

Thanks.

GEAF

Question #2

I've been reading about how students are providing an envelope, address and stamp for the teacher to mail in the letter of recs.

I know a friend who had the teachers put the letter of recs in a school letterhead envelope and sign across the back of the closure. Then the envelope was returned to the student and the student was then responsible for mailing all the application requirements in a large manila envelope. The college would then receive the letter of rec with proof of it not being tampered with, as the envelope signature on the back would not have been disturbed.

This also allows the student to ask the teacher to make 8 copies of the letter, sign each copy and put each copy in an envelope. The student can then decide to send the letters to whichever 8 colleges of his/ her choice. This also allows the student to ask for the letters in the Spring, without committing to which colleges to apply to.

I would think the colleges would want to receive apps all in one envelope, if possible. Am I totally mistake on how this is suppose to work? Sorry, I haven't done a thorough search on this subject.

zainykhas

My teachers are quiet friendly and when asked for recommendation, they reply "Write whatever you want to be included. I will edit and sign it".

SO WHAT DO I WRITE

ryanshroff

@ GEAF
It doesn't matter if the letters are typed or hand written. Ask the teacher to do whatever he or she feels comfortable doing. If she feels the hand writing would be hard to read, then she needs to tell him/her to type it out...the teacher shouldn't mind.
About the change in common app...up until last year when i sent my app (class of 2012) i sent the letters by paper...1 teacher hand wrote it and the other teacher and counselor typed their recommendations.

ryanshroff

@ GEAF....2nd question
you don't have to send all the apps for each college in one envelope. What your friend did does make lots of sense...you could try that out.
And you can send all your documents in separate envelopes as long as they are properly marked with your details. The admissions office will not mind.

Westmere

Can I obtain a letter of recommendation from a retired teacher who I had earlier? What would be different in the process of doing so as opposed to sending out a recommendation from an employed teacher?