Phys ed teachers normally don't write recs, but...

Applying to College
1

<p>Will it look bad if I have her write one for me?</p>

<p>I have to send a pre-written form to each teacher that lists 1-5 scales for:</p>

<p>Academic Qualities</p>

<p>Academic work ethic
Problem solving ability
Enthusiasm for learning
Participation in class
Overall Academic Performance</p>

<p>Personal Qualities</p>

<p>reliability and Dependability
Self-discipline and Responsibility
Initiative
Motivation
Potential for Growth</p>

<p>Character, Maturity and Integrity</p>

<p>Social and Emotional Maturity
Concern/Respect for Others
Appreciation for Diversity
Leadership
Service to the Community</p>

<p>Overall Recommendation</p>

<p>and next to each section, there is a place for written comments.
I know that I’ll get all 5s for Personal Qualities, a 5 for work ethic, a 5 for participation (I was the only student to dress every day and the only student to never be tardy).</p>

<p>In 9th grade, I had her for a “health” semester, in which she would have judged my academic abilities. </p>

<p>However, I don’t believe that she saw much of my community service efforts, as big as they might have been.</p>

<p>There is a space on the form for “title,” in which she would state “Phys ed teacher,” I assume. </p>

<p>So, will this look bad to an admissions officer, having my gym teacher write one of my recs?</p>

2

<p>lol…having gym teacher write recs. i never thought of that one. i guess if she really knows you well and writes well, then it wouldn’t hurt, but i’ve never become decently acquainted with any of my gym teachers.</p>

3

<p>will it “look bad”? No. Will it help you? No. </p>

<p>Such a rec could help if the teacher taught an academic course (health is not considered academic even if required), or the teacher was the faculty sponsor of a club that you were active in, in which case said teacher could discuss your accomplishments in that club and your impact on the school community. But, colleges just don’t care if you dressed-out or were tardy to PE, sorry.</p>

4

<p>bluebayou: I get your point, but, then, why would there be a slot for participation?</p>

5

<p>Don’t do it. I’m sure there must be at least one REAL teacher that knows you well enough to judge your characteristics. Unless your gym teacher was a coach of yours for a sport, she’s useless when it comes to college recommendations.</p>

6

<p>“participation” means participation in an academic class which is important, particularly to LACs and LAC-like colleges, which have small, discussion-based classes.</p>

7

<p>Here’s something from Yale’s site:</p>

<p>Who should write my teacher recommendations?
It is important that your recommenders be teachers who can write about your recent academic work in rigorous academic subjects. We strongly encourage students to ask 11th and 12th grade teachers to write for them. Given Yale’s extremely competitive applicant pool, it is probably a mistake to ask a favorite ninth-grade teacher to write, or to seek out a coach or chorus director as a recommender unless he or she has also taught you recently in an academic course.</p>

<p>Yale does not specify that the recommendations come from teachers of particular subjects. It is a good idea, however, to have the two letters come from teachers of different subjects. Choose teachers who know you well and who can give us a sense of both your academic and personal strengths.</p>

8

<p>No offense if it isn’t, but…
is this a joke? If so it’s a pretty good one.</p>

9

<p>Yeah- participation can mean classroom participation, in that you’re not just sitting quietly at your seat and not contributing to anything.</p>

10

<p>It would probably be better to get an academic teacher or two, but you could always send a letter from your gym teacher as an extra. Usually colleges don’t mind just one or two extra letters of recommendation.</p>