Application - teacher recommendations?

mmb5

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2009
Messages
367
I see on another forum a couple of statements that USNA requires recommendations from 11th grade math and English teachers. While I can see that this would logically be the preference, I can find nothing specific in the instructions - can someone direct me to where it says they must be 11th grade teachers?
 
I believe you CAN use 12th grade teachers as well. However, in fairness, your 12th grade teacher probably won't have much to say until well into the fall and waiting for his/her comments could delay your application. Still, your choice.

I'm not sure where it is written -- maybe somewhere on CGIS -- but it's what USNA told the BGOs at training.
 
I am well on the way- requests in to teachers I thought knew me best, including 10th grade English teacher. BUT if I'm not following instructions, I want to know; my letter naming me an official candidate did not specify 11th grade.
 
I am well on the way- requests in to teachers I thought knew me best, including 10th grade English teacher. BUT if I'm not following instructions, I want to know; my letter naming me an official candidate did not specify 11th grade.

They told us at summer seminat they wanted junior or senior year teacher no 10th grade teachers. Mine happenes to be the same form 10th grade so it works out.
 
mmb5 -- is there some reason you don't want to use your 11th grade teachers? If there is a legit reason (i.e., they hate anyone who is interested in the military), you can probably get permission to substitute. But otherwise, just use them.
 
During BGO training the rational for 11th grade evaluators were that these teachers have known you for one year and have samples of the skills you have gained since your freshman year.
In the past, I had a candidate whose junior teacher did not wish to participate for specific reasons relating to their anti-military stance. In this case the candidate contacted me, his BGO. I then contacted my ACO who presented the situation to Admissions. As far as senior teachers, unless they were also your junior teacher there is no way that they will be able to evaluate your skills as most recommendations will be completed before the first marking period. These teachers need to know you to fairly evaluate you.
IMHO, keep to the junior level teachers unless you have extenuating circumstances. Explain these circumstances to your BGO; that's what we're here for!
 
I know, I know, everyone is entitled to their opinion in this great country of ours. Just frustrates the heck out of me that we have TEACHERS who are anti-military teaching in our schools. :thumbdown::thumbdown:
 
I know, I know, everyone is entitled to their opinion in this great country of ours. Just frustrates the heck out of me that we have TEACHERS who are anti-military teaching in our schools. :thumbdown::thumbdown:

Especially when that military is protecting their freedom to voice their opinion of dislike.
 
Teacher recommendations

Especially when that military is protecting their freedom to voice their opinion of dislike.

Who does a college freshmen get for their recommendations? Daughter applied last year, was 3 -q's, two noms, no appointment. She is re-applying while while attending her freshmen year at a private college and mimicking the plebe course load. So does she go to a prof who has known her for 6 weeks or back to her high school.:cool:
 
Who does a college freshmen get for their recommendations? Daughter applied last year, was 3 -q's, two noms, no appointment. She is re-applying while while attending her freshmen year at a private college and mimicking the plebe course load. So does she go to a prof who has known her for 6 weeks or back to her high school.:cool:

This question was asked and debated at BGO training this year. The answer from USNA was clear -- use college profs. Yes, they may only know the student for a few weeks. Yes, the classes might be lecture classes where the profs don't even know the student by name. Yes, the prof may be basing the rec solely on the grade the student is getting in the course.

USNA gets all that -- they still want the rec from the college profs on the theory that these individuals are best able to comment on how well the student is doing at the college level.

Also, USNA will not consider a college student until after first semester college grades are in. So, IF waiting until November or even December to get a rec from the college prof will increase the chance that the prof will know the student better, there's no real harm in waiting.
 
I am well on the way- requests in to teachers I thought knew me best, including 10th grade English teacher. BUT if I'm not following instructions, I want to know; my letter naming me an official candidate did not specify 11th grade.

The elephant in the room is this: WHY aren't you using your 11th grade teachers, who would be your most logical choices?

Is it because you don't have any 11th grade math or English teachers? If you do, the reason can't be because they don't know you. How can that be?

Here's the risk you run as far as impressions, whether true or not: You seem to be fishing for a teacher who will give you a favorable recommendation and, apparently, you do not think it is your current teacher(s).

I apologize if that is a bit too blunt. Just be prepared to justify WHY you thought your current teachers were not as appropriate as others.
 
don't mean to redirect the thread but my junior year teacher moved but because my senior year teachor only teaches ap and pre ap its the one i had in 10th, should he note somewhere that he also was my 10th to show that he has known me?
 
don't mean to redirect the thread but my junior year teacher moved but because my senior year teachor only teaches ap and pre ap its the one i had in 10th, should he note somewhere that he also was my 10th to show that he has known me?

To be honest, I have no idea how closely the Admissions Board looks at details like these. They have to process thousands of these and I'm wondering who's doing all the reading - not to mention take note as to whether it's your 10th grade teacher, your 11th grade teacher, or your 3rd grade teacher.

I'm not even sure a Blue & Gold Officer knows these type of details. But they would be the one to ask. Or, you can ask the person who is writing the recommendation to provide a brief explanation as to why they are writing it. For all we know, some stashed Ensign scans the recommendations and makes no more of a determination other than to simply see if it's "favorable" or "unfavorable."

In short, I don't know.

I would think the most important things are:
1) they actually teach English or Math (i.e. not your Shop or Philosophy teacher)
2) they have taught you recently (i.e. not your 8th grade Algebra teacher)
3) and, they know you well.

Good luck!
 
Teacher Recommendations - Still seeking Answer

I cannot ask my math teacher because she left the school and the area (fired, I think). And I had three separate teachers for 11th grade English, but one for the whole year for 10th. I could ask one ofthethree if I had to,but the 10th gradeone knows me better.

I still haven't seen an answer - The blue andgold officers may have gotten these instructions -but did we? My BGO didn't tell me this,and I can't find it in any of the paperwork. If I'm fouling up on instructions, I'd really like toknow.
 
Here's what I would do, email your BGO tonight explaining your situation. They will be able to make some phone calls and get you your answer. If you don't hear back in a reasonable time (3-4 days) then call the Academy and talk to one of the LTs. Don't go off on you own without receiving specific instructions (I've had this situation a number of times, it can be rectified but may take some time). Past experience was that they wanted a Junior level teacher in a course that requires writing skills.
 
The letter stating that my son is an official candidate states, "Evaluation of your candidacy will be based upon the information provided on the application forms; therefore, carefully read the Candidate Instructions for each portion of the application." As required, he completed the online application (CIS - Candidate Information System), and we no longer have access to the instructions, but when he got to the applicable section, it asked for him to enter the name and email addresses of his 11th grade Math and English teachers. At another place you are also asked for your Guidance Counsellor or Principal's name and email address as they need to confirm your Candidate Activities Record and your Candidate Academics Information. You are able to pause and save your application as you go along, so that you can get the information or make changes before you submit it. My son chose to send an email to the teachers and Guidance Counsellor in advance, to let them know that they would be receiving recommendation requests from the USNA via email and he included a brief summary of his desire to attend the Academy and attached a copy of his resume, for their reference.
 
^^^

As a B&G Affiliate I have seen the Class of 2014 Official Candidate Letters. One of the attachements (last page I believe, if memory serves me). Specifically states in BOLD letters that both math/english letter of recommendations either need to come from your current teacher (i.e. 12th grade) or previous teacher (i.e. 11th grade).

My recommendation to MMB5 is to get your letters from your 12th grade teacher, also let your BGO know of your situation, but you wouldn't be wrong in following the directions as stated in your candidate letter (IMHO).
 
Back
Top