He’s my coach (XC/track) and I was in his class in 10th grade for chemistry. But I know many colleges really prefer junior or senior year teachers. Right now I’m a junior and next year I could take his IB physics class.
For example, I’m looking at Stanford’s application process, and it says:
"You may submit a letter from a teacher who taught you in grade 10 if the coursework was advanced (e.g., Honors, AP, IB). If your school does not offer such designations, use your discretion when asking a teacher from grade 10. We will accept a maximum of two letters of recommendation from teachers.
You may submit no more than one optional letter of recommendation if there is another person—not a teacher or counselor—who knows you well and will provide new insights about you. "
The class wasn’t advanced so clearly I can’t use him as a reference for those, but then for the optional rec letter it says “not a teacher”? So I couldn’t submit a rec letter from him at all? My school does have honors classes but at the time we had no honors chemistry, I don’t think that applies though?
Would it be worth it to take the class just to be able to use my coach as a recommendation? I’ve heard that the class is pretty similar to honors physics and is very laid back, not much work. I was going to do AP Bio, I guess I could take both and drop engineering/robotics.
Thoughts?
Certainly not. You can get a rec letter from someone else. I don’t think it’s worth it unless you like the class for other reasons too.
This sums it up. If you think that this teacher will write you a better rec than someone who has taught you as a junior, then use it. No college will automatically reject you for it. Colleges want a rec from a teacher that taught you recently because kids grow and mature as they get older (obviously) and a 10th grade teacher may not be able to assess your recent character if they’ve had no contact with you since 10th grade. However, a teacher who also coaches you can speak to your current level of maturity.
Alternatively, you can use the rec as an optional rec, since the teacher is also a coach. Again, it won’t mean an automatic reject if the coach is not only a coach.
But no, it’s not worth taking a class just for that reason.
You can use him as an optional rec and he can also talk about having taught you in grade 10 as that can add depth to his view of you - he knows you in and out of a classroom.
I agree with not taking a course just for a rec unless you need the subject, want to take it and are sure you will do well enough to warrant a rec.
Ok, I didn’t think so, thank you! Just started getting worried when I was looking into rec letters. I was originally going to take his class but then I switched to AP bio, it does sound like a fun class but I think I’d rather take a different elective.
Thanks all!