What teachers to get college recs from

tiger15 · 06-03-2012, 12:13 AM

Hi all,

I have just finished up my freshman year of high school, and even though I still have more than two years left before I'll be applying, I have been thinking about college applications, specifically who to get my recommendations from. I know the conventional wisdom is to get them from people who had taught you a core class junior or senior year, but I had something else in mind. I had an English teacher this year (freshman) that I really clicked with. He really likes my writing, and I really enjoy his style of teaching. He is also the advisor for the Journalism program, and he offered to have me contribute as a staff writer next year without actually taking the class, which at my school is unheard of. Additionally, he coaches the AcaDeca team, and he basically guaranteed me a spot on the team next year. I’m interested enough and he likes me enough that I will probably be able to secure editor/captain positions. Because of these ECs, he will most likely end up being the teacher that I spend the most time with throughout high school and would probably be the best suited to write an accurate recommendation. Do you think colleges will understand this, or is it better just to go with a junior/senior year teacher?

rspence · 06-03-2012, 12:21 AM

You can definitely go with your English teacher. Recommendation letters don't have to be from only junior/senior year teachers. I had a rec letter from my school's college counselor who had been my pre-calc teacher in 9th grade and geometry teacher in 7th. He and I had known each other since I was in 6th grade because we trained for math competitions and we have gotten to know each other very well.

Basically, the best teachers for recommendation letters are teachers whom you know well, and those who know you well.

RedSeven · 06-03-2012, 02:28 AM

It's generally preferred (and sometimes required--it was at some of the schools I applied to) that your recommenders be people who taught you in your junior year.

However, where it's not required that they be junior-year teachers (or as long as you submit enough junior-year teachers' recommendations to meet that requirement), this sounds like it could be a strong recommendation because of the connection to your ECs.

I think you'll have a better idea of who will be best to ask when you get to your junior year. It's hard to predict what will happen between now and then, but definitely keep this option open. It sounds promising.

Quote:

Basically, the best teachers for recommendation letters are teachers whom you know well, and those who know you well.

The second instance of "teachers" is still the subject of the sentence because you used the verb "to be." It therefore takes "who," not "whom." I don't point out most grammatical errors around here, but I expect those who bother to use "whom" to use it correctly.

tiger15 · 06-03-2012, 12:42 PM

Thanks guys, I'll definitely keep this option open. Also, how would you suggest getting a good counselor recommendation? My class size is somewhere between 450-500, and I haven't really been able to get to know my counselor at all. Should I just go and talk to him about my college plans?

wilsun007 · 06-03-2012, 09:49 PM

I feel you. Except your class size is meager compared to my school's legion of 1000 seniors next year.

astults13 · 06-03-2012, 10:01 PM

Counselor recs aren't really intended to be personal, are they? I'm pretty sure they just give a profile of your school, what kind of curriculum is offered, and how you took advantage of that curriculum.

But I would definitely get that rec from your English professor. And its also generally recommended to get a rec from a teacher that taught a class pertaining to your major, so keep that in mind.

wilsun007 · 06-03-2012, 11:25 PM

I hope so! Does anyone know what exactly counselors have to write? They don't need to add a letter, correct? Is it just a form?

tiger15 · 06-03-2012, 11:28 PM

Yeah, someone with more information, what's the standard? I just feel like actually knowing your counselor would give them something better to write about.

wilsun007 · 06-03-2012, 11:40 PM

Time to turn to facebook!

Also, is there a better way to check threads that you've posted in for updates, besides subscribing?

T26E4 · 06-04-2012, 06:23 AM

Colleges know that the counselor rec is usually just data about the school. If there is something pertinent or spectular, it's another opportunity to introduce info -- but it doesn't need to be as intimate/personal as a teacher rec letter.