<p>A couple inquiries:</p>
<p>Does a letter from an alum/ past teacher typically carry any extra weight? My four math profs that taught at CalTech, Berkeley, MIT, and UChicago; I’m most likely applying to all of these for transfer next fall (not because of the math department here at UW… because of the atmosphere in general). If so, what should the cost be? How much quality of LOR should I sacrifice to have one from a past faculty member? How much for an alum?</p>
<p>Also, I worked with my physics prof last year at my high school on research (my work is currently being reviewed for publication in the Electronic Journal of Differential Equations). Through my last two years of high school, I’ve taken 7 courses with him (3 were independent studies), so he knows me and my work quite well. Is it advisable to get a letter of rec from him? He’s a high school teacher, but he does have his Ph.D. I’m sure I can create a more positive relationship with my current teachers by the spring for LOR for transfer apps, but U Cambridge has an Oct 15 deadline, and we haven’t even had class for 3 weeks here (I’m a freshman).</p>