Stanford Undergraduate Rec Letters

Hey there. I'm planning to apply to Stanford next fall and trying to get things organized. Really stressed out here. So, how many letters of recommendation do I need? Should they be from my teachers or can I get someone else to write them? Any help would be appreciated.

Stanford University requires two letters of recommendation for your undergraduate application. Both letters should be from teachers in your core academic subjects (English, mathematics, science, social studies/history, or a foreign language), and ideally, these teachers would be the ones who taught you during your junior or senior year of high school.

While Stanford wants to hear from your teachers because they can speak to your academic abilities if you have someone else who can offer a unique perspective on your character, passion, and extracurricular involvement, that can be a plus. But remember, this is only beyond the required teacher letters, not to replace them.

Also, try to choose teachers who know you well and who you believe can write detailed, personalized letters for you. A letter of recommendation that provides real-life examples of your hard work, determination, and growth will be much more effective than a generic letter praising your academic abilities.

Finally, be sure to give everyone who's writing a recommendation letter for you plenty of time before your application deadline. Ideally, you should ask your teachers at the end of junior year or very early in your senior year to write the letter, just to ensure they have the time to write a thoughtful letter and don't feel rushed. Good luck with your Stanford application!