DD was refused a letter of recommendation based on something dumb

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not strong arm someone who is telling you the letter will not be good into giving a letter.

This. An honest letter would have to note that the student missed class a lot. Missing classes is a Huge red flag for some college AOs - regardless of whether officially excused.

[Anonymous]

If she wasn't in class much, he didn't get a chance to know her. It's as simple as that. Also, he thinks she prioritized vacation and her sport over computer science. Why would he then recommend her for a computer science degree? Maybe she should go to school to be a travel agent or sports therapist.

[Anonymous]

In which district is travel or sports an excused absence. Or did you lie to make it excused. This feels like a troll post to bash teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Travel” isn’t a valid reason to miss class as a junior in high school. I wouldn’t recommend her either.

+ 1

[Anonymous]

I think it’s kind of nervy to expect a recommendation when she didn’t prioritize the class. Sports and travel are not valid excuses. I say this as a mom of a travel athlete. I told my kids early on that a grade isn’t what earns a recommendation. Teachers can’t write for every A student. Stand out by arriving on time, greeting the teacher, working hard, participating in class discussions, asking for help, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her absences were excused but the teacher probably wasn’t happy that sports and a vacation took priority over her education.

^^ bingo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
DD missed class a lot last year. Due to a combination of her sport, a family emergency, and travel

DD doesn't deserve a good recommendation nomatter what grade she got.

If it was just a family emergency, that would be understandable. But sport and TRAVEL?

Nah.

Nake a plan B.

[Anonymous]

If your child is applying to highly selective schools,they will be an absolutely stellar student in every single way. And students like that always have many, many teachers happy to write them a LOR. Just ask one of the many other teachers to write one. It shouldn't be a problem, should it?

[Anonymous]

Why won’t the AP Comp letter be strong? What are the issues she had in the class?

[Anonymous]

The fact that you think the reason is “dumb” tells me a lot about you, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't it better not to get the rec from this teacher? They are effectively telling you that it would not be a good recommendation.

This! Never push a hesitant recommender to provide a letter. It was actually kind of this teacher to decline (rather than submit a lukewarm recommendation ).

It is her perogative, and I respect her integrity.

(In fairness, it might be hard for her to write how passionate your kid is about computer science, when vacations and sports came before learning it.)

[Anonymous]

What did your DD get on this AP test? Maybe the teacher thought she cheated during the year .

[Anonymous]

Teacher is bitter that your kid aced the class despite barely showing up. It’s not uncommon. She should ask a different teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her absences were excused but the teacher probably wasn’t happy that sports and a vacation took priority over her education.

How is taking off for travel and sports excused?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her absences were excused but the teacher probably wasn’t happy that sports and a vacation took priority over her education.

How is taking off for travel and sports excused?

At our public, missing for the school sports team (e.g., missing last period to travel on the team bus to an away game) is absolutely excused. Travel is NOT excused.

OP is so clueless; I truly thought they were a troll. But, if not: OP, this teacher did you a favor. If he wrote an honest letter about your child, it would not be helpful in the admissions process. Ask someone else; preferably someone whose class she attended regularly.