<p>I transferred to my current high school at the beginning of sophmore year. As a junior, I’m in all senior classes and I’ve taken the most challenging curriculum that is offered. I’ve done well (as grades go) BUT I haven’t done well as my brother. He was our valedictorian in 2004 (now goes to Brown HPME) and every teacher he had ADORED HIM. Always known as “John Smith (not really his name)'s little sister” teachers have always looked to me with the same expectations and I’m sad to say that I havent fulfilled them. Before I digress any more, I’m saying all this because my teachers, while they’ve claimed to “never ever compare” me to my brother, have done so at one point in time. For some, it’s always in the back of their minds as they grade my test or paper. --Trust me on this, I’m not paranoid or imagining it. I’ve only realized this through conversations with my teachers.–How can I receive the teacher recommendations that I deserve, with teachers in this mindset? I’ve worked hard and my interests throughout high school have simply been different from my brother’s…how can I stop this from hurting me?</p>
<p>It won’t hurt you. A teacher who is writing a recommendation will be focused on you. You and your brother are probably very different people with different interests, skills, personalities, values, etc. Your teachers should be able to see you as an individual. Don’t worry about it too much.</p>
<p>Columbiaplease, I would not be concerned about this at all. I was in a similar situation as you in high school. My teachers did not take my sibling’s academic perfomance into account at all when writing my recommendations. I think you can improve on your reccs by providing the teachers with a resume that lists your accomplishments both inside and outside of school. Providing this and the necessary forms early will create a good impression and should yield good reccs. Good luck.</p>
<p>If you’re uberconcerned, talk to your teachers about what you would like them to write about in their recs (don’t do it in a way that will make them feel forced to write on a certain topic, but rather something like, “I feel I really grew in this class this year,” etc.)</p>
<p>I say this because I know some high school teachers who actually request that students fill out a mini-questionnaire… and my mom, a teacher, loves it when students give her ideas on what to write about for them and how they think of themselves. For example, my mom talked to a student who thought his strongest point was his creativity-- she thought his strongest point was his quantitative analytical skill. She ended up writing a rec about how he was able to use both!</p>
<p>I remember S found a short passage by Ted O’Neill (can’t remember where) about what Chicago looks for in a letter of recommendation and included it along with the instructions to teachers on the form used in the Uncommon App (which also gives the faculty an idea of what to write) with his “brag sheet” to his teachers. They said it helped them focus on what was important to emphasize. Remember, teachers and high schools look good when their students are accepted to schools like Chicago; it is in their interest to help you.</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with the fact that you shouldn’t worry too much because your recs will be focused on you. You could include a letter to the teachers about what you want them to emphasize in your qualities, what you have done, and remind them gently not to compare you to your brother. BTW, when you say HPME, you mean PLME, right?</p>
<p>Thanks everyone, I’ll try not to worry too much…and yes schrizto, I meant PLME not Northwestern’s HPME.</p>