My feedAdmissions Advice
1
@Beatrice
1 answer, 1 vote
 • 4 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Should I get an english recommendation to offset a bad foreign language score?
Answered

I moved away from my home country around age 3 and learned in a country where English was the main teaching language for 11 years. I moved back just before starting high school but my grades in my national language are horrible. I took beginner classes in freshman and sophomore year and barely got c's. But I had to take normal classes in junior year and I got an F which dropped my GPA from a 3.96 to a 3.48! I'm considering getting my English teacher to write a recommendation in place of the spot some colleges use for social science teachers or others because I did really exceptionally in English class compared to my peers. But would that really make a difference?

rec-letters
grades
1
12
🎉 First post
Let’s welcome @Beatrice to the community! Remember to be kind, helpful, and supportive in your responses.

Earn karma by helping others:

1 karma for each ⬆️ upvote on your answer, and 20 karma if your answer is marked accepted.

2 answers

1
Accepted Answer
@DebaterMAX
905 answers, 731 votes
 • 4 years ago

Depending on the major if it is anything English based definitely and if your major is in STEM I’d say yes. If it is a humanizes major in Social Studies. Also what is your relationship with the English teacher if you are part of his/her club definitely but if you have a stellar relationship with a history teacher and a so so relationship with your English teacher I’d advise against it.

I saw on a article a admissions dean said his biggest pet peeve was like warm rec letters.

So make of that what you will but I’d recommend the English teacher.

Hope this helps and comment if you need clarification.

1
@DebaterMAX4 years ago

Sorry Luke warm not like warm autocorrect happened

[🎤 AUTHOR]@Beatrice4 years ago

I’m aiming for a physics or engineering major and my English teacher would write a good recommendation

@DebaterMAX4 years ago

So in that case I’d absolutely ask make sure to give plenty of time for the LoR to be written

@DebaterMAX4 years ago

Also how were you expectional when you got an F. I’m curious about that and that may be a good essay about overcoming challenges/change

0
@USstudentabroad
24 answers, 16 votes
 • 4 years ago

You have an interesting story to write directly or indirectly in an essay, and I would suggest you do that. Couple this with a recommendation from your english professor and ideally a good score in ACT/SAT. Finally, if you want to study engineering then your local language grades will be less important than if you want to study linguistics. Good luck !

0
[🎤 AUTHOR]@Beatrice4 years ago

I haven’t taken the sat yet but in practice tests I’m getting around a 730 in math and a 760 in English and the idea to mention this in an essay is great thank you!

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
UCLA
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)
Add more factors ›

Community Guidelines

To keep this community safe and supportive:

  1. Be kind and respectful!
  2. Keep posts relevant to college admissions and high school.
  3. Don’t ask “chance-me” questions. Use CollegeVine’s chancing instead!

How karma works