<p>So Im a high school student and I asked my teacher a rec letter for applying to colleges. She gave me a form to fill out and there is a chart on the back and the teacher told me to rate my self in each category. you can see how the evaluation form looks on page 2 of the following link (<a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_TeacherEvaluation.pdf”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_TeacherEvaluation.pdf</a>).</p>
<p>I was wondering, would it be arrogant if I rated my self in the outstanding column for most categories, and should I even attempt the One of the top few I’ve encountered? I am a good student but I don’t know if im in the top 1 percent, but would it come off as arrogant if I marked outstanding for most of the columns? please help</p>
<p>There is a difference between self-confidence and arrogance. Arrogance would be just checking outstanding/one of the top few mindlessly because you want the teacher to think so too. If you honestly believe that you are truly and fully outstanding, then great! If you think you’re average, still great! As long as you are completely honest to yourself and put some thought into it. The teacher will admire you for it. </p>
<p>Hmm, unusual for the teacher to give you the form to fill out… they may or may not just take your checkmarks. A general comment – my experience has been that males tend to overrate themselves on these types of checklists, while females tend to underrate themselves. Your teacher is a woman, she will notice (and not be favorably impressed if you overrate yourself).</p>
<p>I think this is a situation that is quite perilous for you. Here is what I would do:</p>
<ul>
<li>I would tell her that you feel uncomfortable filling out those checkboxes.</li>
<li>Give her a summary of your activities, accomplishments, goals for your education, and strengths as you see them so she is better positioned to fill out the recommendation for you.</li>
</ul>
<p>If she insists… I honestly would find another recommender. </p>
<p>@intparent the teacher also gave a bunch of other stuff as well and she also told us to give examples of why we chose the categories we did. i dont want to cause any problem by not finishing what she gave me, but suppose I do finish checking all the categories, should i write her some sort of side note? what should i tell her</p>
<p>Well… at our school there are certainly teachers who have questionnaires for students to fill out before they will do recommendations. And I think that is great, very good opportunity for a student to provide info that can help the teacher. But I personally have an issue with this – if you were my kid, I would suggest that find another revcommender. I don’t think it is fair for her to tell YOU to fill out the checkboxes for what is supposed to be her opinion. If she asks, I would tell her that you felt uncomfortable with that particular aspect of providing information and decided to ask someone else.</p>