Sophia7X

Is it okay to ask teachers of the same subject, but you know they're going to write you amazing letters? Because I don't really have any other teachers that know me well enough, and I'm a mediocre student in other classes besides science. I want to ask my organic chem teacher and AP Chem teacher (who might be my physics teacher next year). Also, I want to go to a school with a strong emphasis on science like Carnegie or Georgia tech.

aloveforvogue

I've got around one month left of junior year. Should I start asking for recs now? Or wait til the beginning of senior year. Also, does a form tutor count as a 'teacher' rec since he does not technically teach a class of mine.

joszacem

I wouldn't ask until school starts, tutor could count but may be ify. Check the colleges requirements.

T26E4

I'd advise against a tutor rec letter in lieu of a teacher rec letter. The perspective of a teacher -- who sees hundreds of students over a few years and his/her view of you amongst your classmates is very important. All a tutor can say is "She's great in what I give her".

Emc2Fma

Okay, so I was on the MIT website and they had a TERRIFIC article on how teacher recommendations should be written.

Would it be considered "rude" if I linked my recommenders to this article?

thirrdplanet

I have a few questions about what teachers to ask.

Would a photography teacher that I've had sophomore, junior, and also next year for senior year be bad? Both junior and senior year will be ap photo. I know a lot of places want academic subjects and I am not sure if this fits the role. Some say they can be math, science, social science, or humanities. Would art be under humanities?

Also, next year I will be taking a class at Reed college. Could I ask my professor at Reed to write a letter of rec? Would this be considered a teacher?

Other than art and photography, I have switched teachers for every academic subject. I have a good relationship with my honors/adv Chem teacher I had last year. I might be applying someplaces EA. Would it be better to get junior teachers for those? When I apply later, should I get junior or senior teachers? Thanks!

thirrdplanet

Bump...................

Mandoggy

I have a question. UPenn is different from most colleges because it requires recs from Junior/senior teachers only.
1. If I have one freshman teacher I want to include as one of the required letters of rec for all other colleges, but one of the additionall recs for UPenn, how will I do this?
2. Will Common App teacher evaluations be for only 2 teachers so you have to DECIDE which teachers will remain the permanent "required" recommenders?

Thanks!

Gratisfaction

Mandoggy - Yes, if Penn is strict on that, then you should probably get two recs from Junior/Senior year teachers. You know, they require that for a reason. Freshman you was probably very different from Senior you, and though you may still keep in touch with your Freshman year teacher (as a friend, coach, sponsor of a club you're in), that teacher can only speak to your academic ability in your first year of high school. In all likelihood, you weren't as academically strong or insightful then as you are now, and the main purpose of a a teacher rec is to speak to your abilities as a student. Fantastic personality traits are, of course, desirable and shine on these things, but what they look for first and foremost is what you are like as a student in the classroom. Are you really sure you want a Frosh year teacher writing your rec?

Mandoggy

Thanks alot Gratification! Very helpful post

RandyL

I didn't ask any of my teachers if they would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation at the end of my junior year. Should I send them emails over the summer or wait for the beginning of senior year to ask them in person?

jt16882

Hello, I worked in a lab under an American Cancer Society program for eight weeks during the summer, and have gotten to know my professor / mentor quite well. He is willing to write me a letter of rec; and that would be awesome! but my question is, would I be able to send it in as an official letter of recommendation even though he is not affiliated with my highschool?

parkemuth

Hi jt16882,

I think you need to check with university policy but in general this sounds like a perfect rec to get. Make sure your mentor focuses on specific activities you have done that are significant. If you were washing beakers that is one thing; if you were involved with the active research then that will be impressive. See if any publication of the work being done is forthcoming and if so if your mentor is willing to give you a mention so that you can include this with your honors/awards.

Good luck and great question.

parke

laurren

What's better? To have a recommendation from someone who is a doctor, your employer, and is in the field of what you want to major in to write a recommendation and it barely be good enough (in order to go along with your essay about that career, your intended major, etc) or one from someone completely irrelevant to that who can write something meaningful? I'm stuck.

ComicStix

Is it okay if I ask my favorite teacher ever who was my Spanish teacher for Freshman and Sophomore year? Or should I ask someone from a main subject? But I really didn't like any of those teachers :C