17 replies to this topic

[ionosphere]

When should I start asking teachers for college recommendations. Also, how many of them am I going to need for college?

[DBest]

Some colleges require your teachers to write a recommendation through their guidelines because they require certain information. Depending on what they ask, the sooner the better. You can start asking now before the summer, some teachers like to write recommendation letters during the summer, your teachers will let you know.
Certain colleges require recommendations from certain subject teachers. An engineering school will most likely require a math and science teacher (both). Other schools would require at least 1 main subject teacher, this is where you will have to do research on the colleges you want to go to in order to see their admission requirements.

While you're researching them, it would be a good idea to see how many and what type of SAT IIs they require because they tend to vary as well.

[MaiAndy]

You should starting asking for a recommendation now! Before the summer vacation begins, approach your teacher so it does not seem last minute in the fall. Most colleges require 2 recommendations.

[DoodleKid]

Uh huh... Well crap. Do we need a teacher's recommendation letter? Because the only teacher I had in mind to write me one shut me out because I fxcked up pretty bad at the end of this year.

[NickC]

DoodleKid, on 28 June 2010 - 08:20 PM, said:

Uh huh... Well crap. Do we need a teacher's recommendation letter? Because the only teacher I had in mind to write me one shut me out because I fxcked up pretty bad at the end of this year.

Yes. For 99.9% of the schools, a teacher recommendation is part of the application. An incomplete application is not processed by colleges. They are very strict about this. Most colleges that you will choose to apply to will have a very strong applicant pool and they won't mind not having to review your application - 1 less for them to read through.

[DoodleKid]

...

(insert inappropriate words here)

[kngnothin]

Pretty lame how you need teacher recommendations. Like they expect it to tell anything about the student. Teachers are cherry picked and anyone can fake it till they make it. The essay is what matters, imo.

[DoodleKid]

...What happens if we don't have a teacher's recommendation letter? Because I honestly can't think of any teacher who has anything positive to say about me. I was counting on one of the media teachers or possibly even my junior year English teacher, but... Misunderstandings were made and basically, they now think I'm a slacker.

[SoLR]

DoodleKid, on 03 September 2010 - 12:45 AM, said:

...What happens if we don't have a teacher's recommendation letter? Because I honestly can't think of any teacher who has anything positive to say about me. I was counting on one of the media teachers or possibly even my junior year English teacher, but... Misunderstandings were made and basically, they now think I'm a slacker.

As Nicky pointed out, you won't be able to apply to most colleges without a letter of recommendation. Public schools are done babysitting, it's up to you whether you plan on going to college. Although, community colleges don't need recs I believe. (Which are a very viable option for anyone who's messed up really bad in high school.)

[DoodleKid]

...oh yay...

[kngnothin]

sheesh, looks like I have to ask ask and ask away

[NickC]

DoodleKid, on 03 September 2010 - 12:45 AM, said:

...What happens if we don't have a teacher's recommendation letter? Because I honestly can't think of any teacher who has anything positive to say about me. I was counting on one of the media teachers or possibly even my junior year English teacher, but... Misunderstandings were made and basically, they now think I'm a slacker.

The worse a teacher can say is no. Try.

PM me or email me when you see this post. I have a message for you.

[DoodleKid]

I asked the Media teacher on the last day and she laughed and said "No." along with a legitimate and discouraging reason.

I emailed the English teacher around the start of summer and I haven't heard from her since... She has sent me replies in the past, so she's either on some vacation or subtly telling me "No."

[DBest]

DoodleKid, on 05 September 2010 - 06:57 PM, said:

I asked the Media teacher on the last day and she laughed and said "No." along with a legitimate and discouraging reason.

I emailed the English teacher around the start of summer and I haven't heard from her since... She has sent me replies in the past, so she's either on some vacation or subtly telling me "No."

lol, why not your spanish teacher?

[DoodleKid]

OH SHXT.

I only had her for one term and I did pretty horribly in her class... But she really liked my art. Think she said her husband worked for Marvel or something... Hell, even during the term I didn't have her, she helped me out a little with Spanish during one of my lunch periods and she even gave me some booklet on an out of state art college...

...would asking her when the school year starts be too much of a nuisance? And... fxck, how am I gonna find her? @_@

Also... I know you guys told me what to do for the whole college process thing, but I can't remember and I don't know where the topic was (tried searching). I'm seriously lost and I have nooo idea what to do... Here's about all the things I know I need:

-SAT scores
-X amount of teacher recommendation letters
-Portfolio for art colleges

...and I have no idea about anything else. Not what else I need or what order I need to do things in or whatever.



PS: I also took a cartooning class over the summer... Would I be able to ask that teacher for a letter too?

[DBest]

That sounds like the perfect person to write a recommendation letter. You can always try to find your teachers by looking under the school's faculty directory on the main website.

[DoodleKid]

...and about everything else in my post...?

[djharkavy]

A few points:

First, pick a teacher where you put forth some effort.

Second, when asking for a recommendation, make copies of the form (in case they get misplaced) and give your teacher a little summary for them.

• When did you take the class
  
• What grade did you get
  
• What projects did you do
  
• What did you do in the class to stand out, etc.

Personally, I also like a general 'brag sheet' with other information about what you are doing, so I can put additional information into the letter.

Third: Give your teacher PLENTY of time. The more time the better. Ask the teacher if reminders are wanted/needed. Personally I like daily reminders but some teachers prefer not to be bugged too often. Asking for a recommendation due tomorrow is RIGHT OUT.