Reply to DD was refused a letter of recommendation based on something dumb

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD asked her AP Computer Science Principles teacher (from last year) to write her a letter of recommendation. She is applying to very selective colleges as a computer science major, so as you can imagine, this letter would have been an important part of her application.

However, the teacher said she would not be willing to write it since DD missed class a lot last year. Due to a combination of her sport, a family emergency, and travel, DD missed a significant amount of school in her junior year, but all her absences were excused and she explained this to the teacher. I'm really surprised the teacher would act like this- we are at a large public (not magnet). DD got an A in the class and is obviously passionate about the subject, and thought the teacher liked her. It's really surprising, and not fair.

DD was counting on this letter, and she doesn't know who to ask and what to do. Any advice? She is getting a letter from her AP Comp teacher as well, but it won't be strong since that's not her favorite subject.[/quote]

She does not want that letter. The teacher is telling her it would be bad if she wrote it. The teacher is being fair to let her know in advance. We know teachers who write honest recs and do not warn students they won't be positive. 
Ask a Math or Physics teacher. 
The best recommendations are not necessarily from courses they got an A in nor courses for their major: my DC got an amazing letter(they sent it to her after admissions) that was in a very hard STEM AP, and they were applying with a humanities interest/intended major. They pulled their grade up to an A- after struggling with low Bs first quarter then ending with As: the teacher went on and on about the impressive grit, ownership, and the best comeback the teacher had seen. It was DC's least favorite subject and yet they still worked hard. DC is at a T10. We know that rec (and another great one) were the key. Find teachers who think your kid is amazing and engaged. Recs matter a LOT, especially for top schools and competitive programs. [/quote]

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