Rec Letter Decisions: help me! Answered
I read somewhere that when compiling recommendation letters, I should have at least two different teachers. I also read somewhere that one letter should be from a STEM teacher, and the other from arts/humanistic studies. My AP Calculus AB teacher has already agreed to write one of my letters, so it's just a matter of finding a second one. Also, I intend to become a STEM-based major. Here are the other two teachers I'm thinking of asking:
1. AP Psychology teacher: I took her class sophomore year. I always asked questions after class ended, and always asked for her advice. Even as a junior, I visit her class just to have a conversation. I did not struggle in this class and earned A's both semesters. However, this teacher has been recently getting sick, and I do not know if I can request a letter from her in this state.
2. AP US History teacher: I am currently taking this class, and am earning As in both semesters. This class was a mental struggle for me because I tend to struggle in memory-heavy subjects, but my teacher's personality inspired me to go beyond those obstacles.
Who should I ask?
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2 answers
I'm pretty sure you can ask both. I'd prefer the AP Psych teacher. Give them a couple weeks to respond then ask the APUSH teacher. Still, an extra Rec isn't bad at all (maybe for scholarships or just in general)
Unless your intended college specifically states they need a recommendation from a STEM instructor (MIT for example), 99% of colleges will accept recommendations from any 2 teachers or people at your school.
It's always best to ask the very best people who can advocate for your talents and skills and vouch for you as an excellent human being. Some applicants make the mistake of asking their AP teachers because they think its more impressive getting an recommendation from a difficult class that they worked hard to get an A. But if 20 other high achieving students ask the same teacher for a recommendation and there is clear overlap that many of these peer students are applying to the very same schools on your college list, then it's risky gamble. Why would your AP teacher single you out and advocate for you and not for the other 20 students. Or maybe they already know they can't and send the same/similar recommendation to all that ask.
Therefore, it's always best to pick someone that has a deep understanding of you as person, what your strengths and weaknesses are, someone who can explain something special about you that is not clearly evident in you application data points or self-written answers. Sometimes the people that are far lower on the pecking order of seniority or power at your high school are better supporters than those you assume will fight to push your application to the front of the line.
In the recent book Valedictorians at the Gate by former Dartmouth admissions director Rebecca Munsterer Sabky, she shared that the very best recommendation she read in 12 years came from a custodian, not a teacher.
Good luck.
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