SOE's

[USMA - I'm on my way!]

I'm just curious as to what the SOE's are all about.

1) Do my teachers write about me like a 'normal' recommendation letter? What do they entail?

2) Two out of my three SOE teachers are A.P. English and A.P. Chem. (from junior year) and the third, which will be A.P. Calc. (this upcoming senior year), I have not yet met. So for the math SOE is it wise to give my new calc. teacher some time to get to know me before writing the SOE, or should I go with my Honors Pre-calc/trig teacher from junior year?

3) My school does not get back in session until mid-August, will getting all of the SOE's in by about the beginning of September still be considered 'on-time' and competitive?

Thanks in advance!
-Kevin

 

[BillSL]

1)The SOE consists of about 12 questions in which the teacher marks from 1 to 5 (strongly agrees to strongly disagrees). They are based in work ethics and leadership in class. There is an extra box (which I understand is optional?) to add any extra remarks.

2)I don't think that the person who gives the recommendation letter (as long as it is a math teacher) really matters - as in, a Pre-Calc teacher is as worth as an A.P. Calc teacher. Bottom line is, does your pre-calc/trig teacher like you? Do you have a good relationship with him? Are you guys on mutual respect stances? Do you think he would give you a good recommendation? If yes, then go ahead and ask them. If you think it's better to wait for the new teacher, go ahead and wait. It all boils down to whoever gives the better recommendation... BUT READ BELOW:

3)If there is one thing that was said, well, everywhere, is that "the early bird catches the worm". My Admissions Officer said September was still considered "early" (now, I don't remember if it was early or late September). Anyways, try to get everything filed in ASAP.

Good luck, hopefully I'll see you in a year!

 

[USMA2016]

I'd recommend not waiting and using a former math teacher. Rolling admissions means you need to complete your file ASAP.

 

[USMA - I'm on my way!]

Thank you very much. It seems like there's not much info on SOE's out there, but you explained it nicely. And I hope to see you too, come R-Day 2012!