English teacher rec
- Thread starter hubertsai
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usna1985
15-Year Member
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No. USNA wants your English and math teachers, preferably 11th grade because they've known you for a full year.
A few students have very unusual circumstances under which USNA will let you substitute, but it's typically still an English teacher either from 10th or 12th grade -- things like teacher moving w/no forwarding address, etc.
A few students have very unusual circumstances under which USNA will let you substitute, but it's typically still an English teacher either from 10th or 12th grade -- things like teacher moving w/no forwarding address, etc.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
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You need to learn the first lesson of attending an academy and being in the military, that being follow a request or orders.
Whether you "feel" you have a stronger relationship with one teacher over another, your recommendations are not about a "relationship."
Math and English recommendations are asking those specific teachers to identify your learning style, study habits, leadership within the classroom, responsibility and so forth. These two courses are also examples of very structured and rigorous programs that require time management and study skills; they serve the academy well to see how you will handle the engineering and writing intensive curriculum of the next 4 years.
Even if your teacher has gone on to another teaching position in another state or school district it is not impossible to track them down (their last paycheck and tax info must be forwarded somewhere; wife is a high school teacher, they can track you down it just may take a couple of phone calls and a bit of leg work!).
Sometimes it is too easy to get caught up in the excitement of the chase (IE applying to an academy) without thought of what comes AFTER Plebe summer, basically an engineering curriculum (coming from a History major). The board needs to make certain you are able to successfully balance your academics, military and sports responsibilities; these recommendations shed a bit of light on that area for them.
Sorry to be such a stickler; that's what this game is all about!
Whether you "feel" you have a stronger relationship with one teacher over another, your recommendations are not about a "relationship."
Math and English recommendations are asking those specific teachers to identify your learning style, study habits, leadership within the classroom, responsibility and so forth. These two courses are also examples of very structured and rigorous programs that require time management and study skills; they serve the academy well to see how you will handle the engineering and writing intensive curriculum of the next 4 years.
Even if your teacher has gone on to another teaching position in another state or school district it is not impossible to track them down (their last paycheck and tax info must be forwarded somewhere; wife is a high school teacher, they can track you down it just may take a couple of phone calls and a bit of leg work!).
Sometimes it is too easy to get caught up in the excitement of the chase (IE applying to an academy) without thought of what comes AFTER Plebe summer, basically an engineering curriculum (coming from a History major). The board needs to make certain you are able to successfully balance your academics, military and sports responsibilities; these recommendations shed a bit of light on that area for them.
Sorry to be such a stickler; that's what this game is all about!
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2009
- Messages
- 555
I assume that you are talking about your junior year english teacher. First question I would ask you is why isn't your teacher agreeing to write a recommendation? Not having a great relationship is not a satisfactory reason. During your career you may not have "great relationships" with those that you work with, but that doesn't mean that they won't be unbiased; the impression of the high school teachers that I have come in contact with is that they are dedicated to their profession and always convey a positive message.
Sorry to be blunt, but this is not about a relationship; teachers are asked to complete a survey of very specific questions about your character, leadership potential, time management and study habits, relationship with classmates, etc. They then include a short essay to reinforce the survey questions (providing examples and such).
IMHO, you definitely need to make contact with your BGO ASAP. They will counsel you as to your options. The Academy requests recommendations from your junior year teachers; in very extenuating circumstances allowances are made for your senior year teacher to complete the task. These changes must go through the proper chain of command.
Sorry to be blunt, but this is not about a relationship; teachers are asked to complete a survey of very specific questions about your character, leadership potential, time management and study habits, relationship with classmates, etc. They then include a short essay to reinforce the survey questions (providing examples and such).
IMHO, you definitely need to make contact with your BGO ASAP. They will counsel you as to your options. The Academy requests recommendations from your junior year teachers; in very extenuating circumstances allowances are made for your senior year teacher to complete the task. These changes must go through the proper chain of command.
At summer seminar they said junior OR senior year would suffice and they said it didnt matter which either would work