How Do I Get good Letters of Recommendations?

Answered

First, stay calm about making it to grad school. Focus your energy on improving your grades, exam scores, extracurricular activities, and your personality rather than wasting it on fear and anxiety. Of course, if it gets to be too much, take a break and do something that will take your mind off your acceptance to grad school.

To get a good letter of recommendation you have to connect with your teachers. In some cases, I've noticed that students that don't do well in class but connect with the teachers often are the students the teachers know well. Thus their teachers can write them letters saying they are "sincere, and have good personalities." On the other hand, you can be a good student who does really well in the class but doesn't talk to the teacher, and still get a good letter of recommendation.

I would recommend getting on "the good side" of your teacher. Try not to have late assignments or bad excuses. If you need help, ask for it! Teachers really enjoy seeing their students improve after they ask for help.

As for your English teacher, it could be because you have already asked for a letter? You should ask/discuss with her why she can't write a second letter for you. Think from her perspective, maybe she thinks you didn't appreciate her letter/think it was sufficient enough. Explain your reason for why you want a second letter. If all else fails, try to stay calm and don't get disappointed or angry in front of her. Maybe your teacher has too many letters to write, so she might suggest going to another teacher.

Good luck getting your recommendation letter and getting into grad school!!