Hey all, I'm a junior, and I'm curious about the importance of teacher recommendations in the admissions process. How influential are they, and how do I go about choosing the best teachers for these letters? Thanks for your insights!
Hello! Teacher recommendations are indeed an important component of the college admissions process. While they may not carry as much weight as your academic record, test scores, or extracurricular activities, they provide colleges with insight into your character, work ethic, and how you interact within a classroom setting.
To choose the ideal teachers for your letters, consider those teachers who know you well both academically and personally. Ideally, these teachers should be from your junior or senior year and should have taught you in core subjects (e.g., math, science, English, social studies). Additionally, you may want to consider any teacher who has seen you overcome challenges or fostered your growth in a specific area. For example, my own child asked their 11th-grade English teacher, who saw their improvement in writing essay over the course of the year, to write a recommendation. The teacher was able to provide specific examples and context for the admissions committee to consider.
Best of luck!
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