For those who say their kids have great letters of recommendation

[Anonymous]

How do you know? Are you allowed to read them? At DD's school they go straight from the teachers into Naviance or to the school without our seeing them. I have mixed feelings because of course we'd like to know what they say, but can understand that teachers need to be able to be candid.

BTW, DD got into her preferred school ED, so I have no complaint about not seeing them. This is just a question I've thought about when I see posts that mention great recommendations.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think people can know this. Probably just wishful thinking.

[Anonymous]

I assume people mean that their kid has a teacher that knows them well and they have a good relationship with. Going beyond the "I had them for a class and got a good grade" kind of relationship.

[Anonymous]

Fill out the brag sheet appropriately, so the counselor has great information about your child

[Anonymous]

My child's AP Lang teacher emailed him a copy of the letter. It was the teacher's last year before retirement and perhaps that had something to do with her choice to share it with him when they're not supposed to. It was very nice to be able to see it.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of teachers use student input to create these letters. You have complete control over that "input".

[Anonymous]

We told ours if you want to go for a top 20 school, you're going to need two good teacher recommendations.

You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but if you do want a chance at these kinds of schools, you're going to need this. Choose the teachers by junior year. Obviously do well in those classes. Be bright. Be kind. Be curious. Make sure you have a rapport with the teachers.

But it's up to you.

Both in top 20 schools now. And I do think the teacher recs made a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of teachers use student input to create these letters. You have complete control over that "input".

OP here. I don't think this is exactly true. I have a parent who was a high school teacher and believe me, she had plenty of opinions about kids that might have surprised them (in both directions). Sure, you can provide them with some information about yourself, your outside interests and other things you hope they highlight. But they are going to have their own opinions based on what they've observed directly about you as a student. So you can have input, but not control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of teachers use student input to create these letters. You have complete control over that "input".

I write these letters. I "use student input" in that I have access to a questionnaire on SCOIR. But that's just one thing I use when I am writing. So, I might have noted the student's excellent work ethic and their ability to manage a challenging load, and then use the list of activities in SCOIR to illustrate it. Or I might have noticed their exceptional character and leadership, and I might relate it to their desire to enter a certain profession.

But if I haven't noticed that work ethic or character, nothing they write in SCOIR will improve my letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The vast majority of teachers use student input to create these letters. You have complete control over that "input".

I write these letters. I "use student input" in that I have access to a questionnaire on SCOIR. But that's just one thing I use when I am writing. So, I might have noted the student's excellent work ethic and their ability to manage a challenging load, and then use the list of activities in SCOIR to illustrate it. Or I might have noticed their exceptional character and leadership, and I might relate it to their desire to enter a certain profession.

But if I haven't noticed that work ethic or character, nothing they write in SCOIR will improve my letter.

I also write many recommendation letters. I’ll read the student’s responses to our school’s questionnaire, but I may or may not use this information. Most of my letters reflect the experiences I had with the student within my classroom.

If I agree to write a recommendation letter for a student, it’s going to be very good. I spend a ton of time on these letters, and each one is unique. I don’t use templates, old letters, etc.

I say no to student requests every year. If I can’t give a student that amazing letter, then someone else should write it.

[Anonymous]

Our teachers write several paragraphs of comments on each student's report card 3x/year. DC could tell which ones would make golden recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Depends if FERPA is signed or not.

[Anonymous]

Got an A+ on last big assignment along with unusually strong comments (“extraordinary” etc.). Teacher later told kid that she has so much to say she’s having trouble deciding what to focus on. Teacher’s subject area lined up with intended major (not STEM); she meets regularly with child to talk. Accepted to REA school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We told ours if you want to go for a top 20 school, you're going to need two good teacher recommendations.

You don't have to do this if you don't want to, but if you do want a chance at these kinds of schools, you're going to need this. Choose the teachers by junior year. Obviously do well in those classes. Be bright. Be kind. Be curious. Make sure you have a rapport with the teachers.

But it's up to you.

Both in top 20 schools now. And I do think the teacher recs made a difference.

LOL no.
But you keep living in lala land.

No college admissions even reads those they are check boxes. Period.

[Anonymous]

My kid goes to a private school where there are less than 3 As given in most classes. If my kid gets one of those As plus has a good relationship with the teacher (goes to office hours several times per week) I assume the rec is good.