Teacher Recommendations

Most private, selective colleges require one or two recommendations form teachers. You should ask teachers who have taught you in an academic subject (some colleges may specifically restrict you choices to teachers in your junior or senior year). The teacher who gave you the highest grade may not be the one who is likely to write you the best recommendation; it is just as important that the teacher knows you well and admires you. The general rule of thumb is to ask one teacher from English or humanities, and one teacher from math or science to provide a balanced academic recommendation. You should request recommendations from teachers AT LEAST three weeks before your deadline.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Teacher Recommendations

• Ask for in person for the teacher's recommendation. If the teacher "hedges" or tells you they cannot write the letter, thank them and move on. It's better to ask someone else than get an unenthusiastic recommendation. You should never leave written requests on teachers' desks or in their mailboxes.
• Try to ask the same two teachers to write all of your academic letters of recommendation. Let then know how many colleges you are applying to in total. Most teachers will write a letter that they can duplicate and send to all of your college. If you are applying to a technical institution or indicating science or engineering as a proposed field of study, one of your teacher recommendations should be from a math or science teacher.
• Provide the teacher with a Recommendation Request Form (available in Guidance or below). Complete as much of the information on the form as possible; the responses you provide will help the teachers as they sit to write your letter.
• Always send thank you notes (not emails) to the teachers who write your recommendations. Writing recommendations is a time-consuming task; often the only reward is your warm, genuine appreciation. Also let your teachers know how things work out later in the year; they are interested in your future.
• It is not generally advisable to give teachers resumes if they have not been in the capacity of overseeing your extracurricular involvements. Your School Counselor will highlight these activities in her letter of recommendation. You do not want to submit redundant letters of recommendation.