Chedva

Foreign language is a core humanity. The 5 core areas are English, foreign language, history/social studies, science and math.

lili92

So, I've asked my AP English teacher for a rec and he said yes! But, I'm also asking an American History teacher. But, I know her in the context of my mock trial team which I don't get course credit for. Although she knows me extremely well (I've spent a huge amount of time with mock trial), I never had her for a class. So, should I also ask a third person so that I will have 2 from my teachers who have had me?? If I do, would it be redundant to ask my AP US teacher?

Prism

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.

Chedva

1) No. There's nothing on the recommendation that has to indicate how long the teacher has been teaching.

2) You don't. They know it's important. It is appropriate to ask, "Do you think you could write a positive recommendation for me?" If the teacher is uncertain about it in any way, he or she will say no and you can go find another teacher.

3) Stick to 2 + coach. The admissions officers don't want to (and probably won't) read more than that. There's an old saying:"The thicker the file, the thicker the applicant."

4) No.

Prism

Thank you SO much for the quick answers, Chedva! I appreciate it

Ah, what a nice saying. Hehe, I'll keep that in mind.

Did you have a chance to read my situation?

lin4621

I am planning on applying Dartmouth ED. It asks one rec from counselor and two recs from teachers. My problem is I DON'T HAVE A COUNSELOR!
Here are my questions:

1. Can anyone elaborate what a conselor is in American HS?

2. I have a homeroom teacher. Does a homeroom teacher count as a counselor?

3. Can I ask my homeroom teacher to write me both a counselor rec and a teacher rec?(She teaches me English)

smarty99

in simple terms, a counselor is someone who is aware of the academics of the general graduating class, he/she helps u w/ ur future plans and is generally aware of ur goals and stuff. ur counselor is also sometimes aware of ur personal problems and helps u out. he/she is an adult who is there throughout high school who is there for u b/c of his or her's job.

lin4621

^thanks smarty99. According to your definition, apparently, I dont have a counselor...

MidnightBlue23

Is it bad if I ask my teacher from sophomore year to write me a recommendation or is that too far back?

gregandthe

Does AP Psychology and other psychology course teachers count as a humanities rec or a science rec? I'm getting my other rec from my AP Calc teacher

pt92

I'm applying to 3-4 schools with the common app. so do I need to hand my counselor and teacher 4 different forms or would it be acceptable for them to photocopy one finished form? I don't want my recs to seem like a "chore" that they have to do 4 times....

crix

I am looking to enroll into graduate school next year. I understand that most experts recommend meeting with the letter writer in person when requesting for a letter of recommendation. My problem is that I currently reside in a different state. My question is, do you think it is any less appropriate asking via email?Answer: Considering you live in another state, asking for a recommendation letter via email is more than acceptable. However, you will want to make sure that your email is polite and formal. Do your best to keep it short, while making sure you offer information explaining exactly what you need and when you need it by.You will also want to include your full name, telephone number, mailing address, and email address at the end of the letter.

_____________________________
Lexus Dealership DFW
college works painting scam

sqdwfe13

What do you do if you don't know ANY of your teachers particularly well and none of them see you as a particularly stand-out student?

What should you do if there's a teacher that could possibly write you a rec but they don't teach at your school anymore and they live far away?

battlingthegpa

Can you ask employers to write recommendations for you? I've only had two teachers at school that I've really liked and actually know me (I'm a quiet kid), but one of those teachers was from my freshman year. I'll be a senior this year, so maybe I'll find another teacher I like who could write a recommendation for me. Still, I was wondering if someone other than a teacher could write one. This year I've been working on Chris Daggett's campaign for governor, actually speaking to him personally. Would there be use in having him write a recommendation, or are core academic teachers always more important (even if they don't know me well)?

joe4sure72

Would having a sophomore year teacher write a recommendation for me detract the rec in any way? I know my Biology teacher VERY well and made the USABO study camp, so I know for sure that I will get a top-notch recommendation from her. However, since I have not had any classes with her since sophomore year, I'm not sure whether college admissions officers would see that as a big negative. Thoughts?