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High school teacher recommendations for college transfer?

I was wondering if I could use a high school teacher's recommendation when I'm applying as a transfer student to another college. Would that be acceptable, or should I aim to get recommendations from my current professors?

2 months ago

In most cases, it's more beneficial to get letters of recommendation from professors at your current college when you're applying as a transfer student. This is because they can speak to your college-level academic abilities, which can be quite different from high school. They can also provide insight into your most recent academic work and growth, which could add more relevance.

However, there may be exceptions to this, especially if you've recently graduated from high school and haven't formed close relationships with your college professors yet. If your high school teacher knows you well and can attest to your academic strengths and personal qualities, their recommendation could still be meaningful.

Another perspective to consider is if a high school teacher can speak to a specific aspect that aligns well with your intended field of study in the college you're transferring to. For example, if the new program you're looking to transfer into has a strong focus on creative writing and your high school English teacher can speak to your unique skills and passion in that area strongly, their recommendation could add weight to your application.

Be sure to check the specific requirements of the college you're applying to for transfer. Each college might have different preferences or guidelines for letters of recommendation. For instance, some colleges might prefer recommendations from college professors, while others might allow high school teachers to write your recommendations.

Ultimately, the goal is to select recommenders who know you well and can speak convincingly about your academic and personal attributes. Even though high school letters can be useful, you should still strive to build strong relationships with professors in your current college. Remember to ask for these letters well in advance and provide the necessary materials (like copies of your resume or your reasons for transferring) to help your recommenders write effectively for you.

2 months ago

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