<p>Just in case any juniors are reading this…one thing S did late junior year as he was determining where to apply was to make a spreadsheet of what each school wanted in terms of recs (from which subject areas), how many SAT-IIs (and which categories, if any), etc. Made it a lot easier to determine who he should contact about recs, which SAT-IIs he should take, and the timing for same.</p>
<p>Reduces stress senior year!</p>
<p>I am surprised at the number of students who come on CC in November and December (not just the Chicago threads) and say they suddenly need a specific subject area teacher’s rec. Most of the schools to which S applied last year were quite sepcific that one needed an English/social studies AND a math/science. While there are legitimate questions to be asked about how FL/econ/comp sci recs fall into the scheme of things, it seems that any student looking at schools the caliber of Chicago should have recs that reflect strengths and well-rounded abilities across multiple subject areas.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know, preachy mom, but it really IS helpful to get organized and know what the school you so desperately want to attend requires!</p>
<p>Cross-post: unalove, I remember seeing that blog, and I think Libby said here last year it was OK, too, though they REALLY wanted both.</p>