Math Teacher Recommendation Concern

[usna1985]

Let me come at this another way. When you have read literally thousands (if not tens of thousands) of teacher recs -- as USNA Admissions has -- it is immediately apparent who knows the candidate well and who doesn't. Just as it's immediately apparent who had so much good to say that it won't fit on the "paper" and who is struggling to find enough to complete a few sentences. If you've ever had to write a rec for someone, you know exactly what I mean.

The risk you run in submitting a rec from a teacher who doesn't "know" you -- in that he/she has never met you, let alone seen you day in and day out for a year -- is that the rec won't compare favorably to those received by your fellow candidates who have teachers who know them. The rec from an on-line teacher cannot have the depth and breadth of one from a "traditional" teacher.

This is why you want to talk to Admissions. If they know the rec is from an on-line teacher and are ok with that, then they will take into account the way this teacher knows you when reading the rec. If they are not ok with it, they will tell you and give you an alternative source for that rec.

Hoping for the best is not a great strategy for success.

 

[justdoit19]

What will your senior year math look like? We ran into not having a junior year English class...so no teacher...waited for senior year English upon the advice of admissions.

You could get everything buttoned up and use your senior year math evaluator. It doesn’t take them long to get to know your habits, especially if you know the teacher from other classes perhaps? You will still be on the early side of completion. But yes, they want to know how you work in class. In fact, I recall seeing something (perhaps it was the ROTC scholarship process???) where the evaluator actually compares you to your peers. And how you contribute and lead in the classroom setting. My opinion is that is what they are REALLY after, as gpa and standardized test scores will reflect your academic abilities.

DS actually changed his schedule to even HAVE a first semester English class senior year JUST for this very reason. We know better than to not have a junior year English class for our sophomore who is contemplating applying.

 

[Harleyboys98]

What will your senior year math look like? We ran into not having a junior year English class...so no teacher...waited for senior year English upon the advice of admissions.

My high school math courses are quite unique. My goal was to have as much exposure to calculus as possible, by the time I graduate.

I completed Algebra 1 in middle school
Freshman year- geometry/trigonometry honors
Sophomore year- algebra 2
Junior year/current year- pre calculus

Another reason why I opted for the online version of pre calculus was because there’s an option to finish way early. Derivatives and other intro to calc content came relatively easy to me. So I finished pre calculus in February and started AP calc AB in March. I am taking calc AB through an outside accredited online high school. This high school has a self-pace policy meaning courses can be started at any point in the year and courses have no specific due dates as they can be completed as fast as one would like. My hopes are to finish this course by August or the start of my senior year.

Depending on how well I do in Calc AB I will either further my math education with AP calc BC or Calc 3 with differential equations.

I have a proven excellence record in online mathematic classes. I have the motivation and perseverance to complete courses in a timely fashion. I like the idea of learning on my own time and in my own home. For these reasons I am a little hesitant about a brick and mortar math class my senior year. But if admissions suggests that I ask my senior year math teacher for a recommendation, I will have to adjust my schedule.

Thank you all for the advice given!

 

[AROTC-dad]

I like the idea of learning on my own time and in my own home. For these reasons I am a little hesitant about a brick and mortar math class my senior year

If you are fortunate enough to receive an appointment to USNA, you will need to become re-acquainted with bricks and mortar math classes.

 

[justdoit19]

My high school math courses are quite unique. My goal was to have as much exposure to calculus as possible, by the time I graduate.

I completed Algebra 1 in middle school
Freshman year- geometry/trigonometry honors
Sophomore year- algebra 2
Junior year/current year- pre calculus

Another reason why I opted for the online version of pre calculus was because there’s an option to finish way early. Derivatives and other intro to calc content came relatively easy to me. So I finished pre calculus in February and started AP calc AB in March. I am taking calc AB through an outside accredited online high school. This high school has a self-pace policy meaning courses can be started at any point in the year and courses have no specific due dates as they can be completed as fast as one would like. My hopes are to finish this course by August or the start of my senior year.

Depending on how well I do in Calc AB I will either further my math education with AP calc BC or Calc 3 with differential equations.

I have a proven excellence record in online mathematic classes. I have the motivation and perseverance to complete courses in a timely fashion. I like the idea of learning on my own time and in my own home. For these reasons I am a little hesitant about a brick and mortar math class my senior year. But if admissions suggests that I ask my senior year math teacher for a recommendation, I will have to adjust my schedule.

Thank you all for the advice given!

What I mean is, will you have an actual teacher in a traditional setting? Or online again? They request a teacher evaluation from JR or SR year. So wondering if you are taking a SR year, “Brick and mortar” math class.

Btw, there is NO “at your own pace” at the academy. You will struggle to prioritize your assignments and learning. Everyone does. It’s part of the process.

 

[AROTC-dad]

there is NO “at your own pace” at the academy. Y

+1 @justdoit19

Totally agree. This is clearly by design.

 

[bopper]

Another thought on recommendations...this is what MIT is looking for re: recommendations. It is truly better if the teacher knows you and can give a thorough recommendation http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs

 

[time2]

Teacher input to USNA is really an "evaluation" rather than a "recommendation". I have never seen the actual form, as it is emailed directly to the teacher, but it is my understanding that the teacher is evaluating your academic aptitude as well as demeanor and classroom leadership.

I agree. USNA asks for teachers of specific classes since they want to know more than if the student did well in math. Evaluation from a specific teacher who has seen probably hundreds of students over the years is a good way to judge their other abilities (i.e. teamwork, demeanor, classroom leadership, handling adversity....etc.).

 

[redwhitebluemom]

As my junior year winds down, I would like to get a head start on my application for the NA. I’m currently enrolled in trigonometry/pre-calculus with 4 weeks of school to go. I reached out to my math teacher seeking a letter of recommendation and she said she’d be happy to write me one.

Here’s the problem.... I opted for the online version of this class instead of the standard brick and mortar classroom version. A big misconception these days is online classes are an easy way to get your education in. But that is certainly not true as it takes the same amount of work/time whether a course is completed online vs. in the classroom. Long story short, I opted for the online version of trig/pre-calc because it allowed me the flexibility to learn in my own time and space.

When it comes to online classes, the teacher is only there to grade assignments and assist students when necessary. From reading the forums, people say to have teachers write about the student’s integrity and leadership skills within the classroom. Obviously this doesn’t allow with my current situation. Has anyone been in this situation before? I feel like homeschoolers face this predicament. Should I reach out to my teacher and request a recommendation that covers certain characteristics of my choosing? Thanks for the help!

At my son’s high school they recommend we send two docs with a request for letter of recommendation: a student brag sheet and a parent brag sheet. If you google it you can find examples. The brag sheet tells teachers all about who you are outside of the classroom. I would recommend you send these docs to this teacher. It will help her learn more about you and write a more personalized letter. Best of luck.

 

[time2]

^^ What may be good advice for civilian college applications may not work for the SA's. They want evaluations (not recommendations) from specific teachers for the reasons previously mentioned. SA evaluations are to be provided by specific people the SA has requested and what they provide is replies to various categories of information discussed above. Typically you choose someone to write a letter of recommendation because they already know you well enough and you expect they will say positive things about you. If you have to provide extensive background info (beyond a resume) to someone you choose for a letter of recommendation, perhaps you chose the wrong person.