Teacher help?

[dlee96]

So the teachers that I will need to get recommendations from (math,science,english) are all detached. They simply teach their lessons and then go to their desks and grade papers/browse the internet (don't permit talking). What should I do to get to know them for good rec's? Help anybody?

 

[Ken2012]

Get high grades so they notice you. Ask questions/participate. Or is just straight lecture? If it is, could you maybe talk with them a bit after class?

Even if they don't know you too well, I'm sure they would be willing to help you out if you get good grades. Just give them a copy of your data sheet, explain what you need, and ask politely.

 

[dlee96]

Even if they don't know you too well, I'm sure they would be willing to help you out if you get good grades. Just give them a copy of your data sheet, explain what you need, and ask politely.

Thanks for the input, it's mostly lecture (calc bc), then about 10-15 minutes of silent work.

When you say explain what you need, would it be advisable to approach them (now) and tell them that "I wish to attend one of the service academies and I was wondering if you could help me attain that goal."

If anyone has other suggestions (how to tell them I'm interested in SAs), it would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[MemberLG]

When you say explain what you need, would it be advisable to approach them (now) and tell them that "I wish to attend one of the service academies and I was wondering if you could help me attain that goal."

My suggestion is to also explain to them it's not a typical (unless things have changed. I don't know what regular colleges do now) letter of recommendation for acollege. Explain to them, it's internet based, they will receive an internet link, and they answer several short questions. Evaluation of your class performance more accurate way to describe the requirement.

Also, I do strongly suggest you get in touch with your local SA liaison officers if they are avialable in your area. They should be able to give you good advices. This forum is great, but no one is held accoutable for what they post.

 

[another13mom]

You should prepare a resume of sorts, listing all of your activities, SAT/ACT scores, sports, employment history, volunteer work, and classes/grades - this will make the task of preparing a recommendation much easier. Also let them know that most of the recommendation for WP is a fill in the blank sort of thing, w/ a 100 word limit on the narrative. You will likely need a regular narrative recommendation from these teachers for your congressional nomination applications, but if you hand them a "resume" when you ask for a recommendation, you will have provided them with most of the info they will need to sound informed about you, whether they are or not.

 

[MemberLG]

You should prepare a resume of sorts, listing all of your activities, SAT/ACT scores, sports, employment history, volunteer work, and classes/grades - this will make the task of preparing a recommendation much easier. Also let them know that most of the recommendation for WP is a fill in the blank sort of thing, w/ a 100 word limit on the narrative. You will likely need a regular narrative recommendation from these teachers for your congressional nomination applications, but if you hand them a "resume" when you ask for a recommendation, you will have provided them with most of the info they will need to sound informed about you, whether they are or not.

Personally, I don't like a recommendation that includes "resume" comments (i.e John is a great kid. He scored XXXX on SATs, plays sports, is an Eagle Scout, etc.) For me, I know how to read, so why do I need a reminder from a English teacher on what the kid score on SAT. To me, a recommendation with a "resume" is a form letter stating that I don't know enough about this kid so I am going to put down things outside my observation to fill up space.

 

[sciswim]

did you ever have english/math/chemistry/physics teachers in the past that you got along well with? it doesnt have to be your current teachers, just ones youve had in high school that you feel know you and your character well. all the teachers i selected were from my junior year.

 

[another13mom]

LG - So if a teacher has 30 kids in each class times 6 periods per day, and doesn't know a kid well, a resume gives him info he may not otherwise have - giving SAT scores isn't for their inclusion in the letter,but to clue the teacher in that the applicant is or isn't an idiot. Also, if you have a teacher for English, he may know absolutely nothing about a student's accomplishments outside of the class, especially in larger schools where each grade may have over 500 students. Our school district requires the preparation of a resume by all students at the conclusion of junior year so that teachers and guidance counselors have some info for their recommendation letters. It's a practice that makes their jobs easier - and helps develop somewhat decent recommendation letters that go beyond "my student offers insightful comments and is an excellent writer." In addition, my dd's RC at USMA sent an email asking all applicants to prepare and submit a "resume" by email.

 

[dlee96]

all the input is great, but i was referring to the LORs for the MOC nomination app. Any ideas on that? :S thanks

 

[efirestone14]

all the input is great, but i was referring to the LORs for the MOC nomination app. Any ideas on that? :S thanks

Well, all the advice pretty much applies to letters of recommendation for nomination applications. Get to know your teachers, do well in the class, participate in class, and prepare a resume to give them when you ask for a letter of recommendation.

That being said, I don't suggest getting letters of recommendation from teachers only, unless that is what your MOCs require. One of my MOCs required that I submit at least one letter of recommendation from a math or science teacher. I also sought letters of recommendation from my soccer coach and the director of a leadership program I participated in.

You want to show the MOCs that you are more than a student, so seek recommendations from coaches, club advisors, community contacts, etc. in addition to maybe one teacher. MOCs want to nominate well-rounded applicants.

Follow the directions in your nomination applications and seek letters of recommendation accordingly. Good luck!

 

[dlee96]

Thanks! I'll make sure to build on the input from this thread!

 

[Ken2012]

Thanks for the input, it's mostly lecture (calc bc), then about 10-15 minutes of silent work.

When you say explain what you need, would it be advisable to approach them (now) and tell them that "I wish to attend one of the service academies and I was wondering if you could help me attain that goal."

If anyone has other suggestions (how to tell them I'm interested in SAs), it would be much appreciated. Thanks

Obviously there's different viewpoints regarding data sheet. Personally my teachers asked me to hand them one. My teachers did know me very well but they just wanted it in case. I helped the teacher help me out, basically.

It is definitely up to you on how you want to approach someone to ask, but I just explained my goals, the purpose of a nomination, etc. I wanted to sound a little bit different from the usual letters of recommendation for college. Also, a lot of the MOC forms/letters usually elaborate on different areas then the usual college app, so I also explained that.

 

[MemberLG]

LG - So if a teacher has 30 kids in each class times 6 periods per day, and doesn't know a kid well, a resume gives him info he may not otherwise have - giving SAT scores isn't for their inclusion in the letter,but to clue the teacher in that the applicant is or isn't an idiot. Also, if you have a teacher for English, he may know absolutely nothing about a student's accomplishments outside of the class, especially in larger schools where each grade may have over 500 students. Our school district requires the preparation of a resume by all students at the conclusion of junior year so that teachers and guidance counselors have some info for their recommendation letters. It's a practice that makes their jobs easier - and helps develop somewhat decent recommendation letters that go beyond "my student offers insightful comments and is an excellent writer." In addition, my dd's RC at USMA sent an email asking all applicants to prepare and submit a "resume" by email.

Just giving my opinion for whatever it is worth.

I must have read five hundard plus letters of recommendation as a my MOC's nomination board member. I read the LORs after I review the data sheet (my MOC requires resume type information). So already knowing the basic information, the LOR mentioning the same thing doesn't impress me at all.

My personal opinion is that a good LOR is personalized (i.e. not whom it may concern), provides recommender's qualification (i.e. I have been a teacher for X years vs. several of my formers students have gradudate from SAs so I know the type of characters required to attend a SA), and highlight something not alread discussed (i.e he is a great student already proven by his class ranking and high SAT scores, in addition he always goes out way to do the right thing. One time, he self report a wrong answer he got credit for [little far fetched])

 

[JMS]

At my DS high school (a very large regional where the student pop is approx 2k... so teachers do have difficulty in getting to know all the kids) they have formalized the recommendation/resume thing. The school asks students and parents to answer questions on a 'brag sheet,' which goes into the guidance office and is available for reference when recommendations are written.
So I'm thinking the resume idea is a good one. It will not replace the personal observations of the teacher, but will give the teacher info about ones extracurricular things and other stuff they may not be aware of but may choose to include in a letter to give a more complete recommendation.