Parents: Reume with Letters of Recommendation?

[CIA]

Ok, so I'm a bit confused. I'm applying to a program for the next school year (not college) and asked a teacher who knows me very well in the field if he would feel comfortable/have the time to write me a letter of recommendation and he said he'd be glad to after break (deadline is quite a way off). He knows me very well in class (I practically teach his class for him) but I'm not sure how the whole thing goes from here.

Do I give him a resume when we return from break? It's a political opportunity and he teachers an economics class where we discuss quite a bit (especially with the recession!!!). Doesn't it seem a bit arrogant to give him a resume, I mean after all if he doesn't know enough about me he shouldn't be writing it, right?

I'm just a little confused.

[historymom]

Your question is a good one but I want to assure that it's arrogant to NOT give a resume. I have written letters for students I have known academically and socially since elementary school but I still need a resume because the rec letter is supposed to bring in details the ad-com can't see from your transcripts and awards. The teacher is not a student of your life and your life exists outside of his classroom therefore it is essential that you provide details with which he is not already familiar. Good Luck!

[mathmom]

Give him a resume, information about the program you are applying to and what the deadline is. The latter two can go on a cover letter with an advance thank you, though of course you'll thank the teacher afterward as well. Get it to the teacher right after the break so the teacher can do it when it's most convenient.

[Northstarmom]

While the resume is helpful, what particularly would help the teacher would be info about the program you're applying to, why you're applying to it, and a reminder of things you've done in the teacher's class and activities the teacher advises that relate to the program you're applying to. For instance, providing copies of excellent exams or papers you've written. The more the teacher can refer to these type of specifics, the stronger the recc letter will be. What would be arrogant would be not providing the teacher with such info because you assume the teacher would remember such details about your life. No matter how much a teacher likes you or give you high grades, you'll remember more relevant details about your accomplishments in the teachers' class than the teacher will remember.

Remember to provide the teacher with a handwritten thank-you note after the teacher submits the recc. If you get into the program, let the teacher know. Anyone who writes a recommendation would be interested in learning about a student's success with the programs the recc was used for.

[geek_mom]

Agree with NSMom. That kind of information is very helpful to the rec writer. In geek_son's case, his school is /very/ small and his teachers have known him in many different capacities for several years. So they do know him well enough to write something off the top of their heads without a resume, but he gave them a cover letter explaining his goals and a one-page spreadsheet that showed everyone where they fit in, what he thought each of them could emphasize from their experience with him, and a suggestion or two about events or accomplishments they might highlight. He made it very clear that he wasn't trying to dictate their letters, just trying to enlist their help in creating an overall profile and to make the process more convenient for them. This approach went over very well; all of them were enthusiastic and the school forms were mailed well in advance of his app submission!

And about NSMom's other piece of advice -- yesyesyes, tell them when and where you get in. Most teachers really care about your success and their part in it. Some of geek_son's teachers showed more excitement leading up to his acceptance than he did! Same thing for summer programs; they were very interested in whether he got in, which ones he attended, and how he fared.