Letters of rec: close teacher vs. well-rounded subjects?

Applying to College
1

I’m applying to Georgetown for an international relations major. For my 1st reccomendation, I’m asking my 11th grade English teacher because she teaches a core subject (which is required), we’re pretty close, and she writes great letters.

For my 2nd rec, I’m debating between:

  1. My Chinese teacher, who has taught me for 3 years and likes me a lot. I remember asking her for a rec for a summer camp and she ended up writing pages.
  2. My computer science teacher, who has taught me for 2 years and likes me pretty well. She writes really kind/thoughtful recs, but she’ll probably have less things to say about me than my Chinese teacher.

I’m wondering whether I should choose my compsci teacher to show more variety (since compsci is more on the science/math side), or my Chinese teacher (who I’m really close with).

Thanks! :slight_smile:

2

Are you allowed 3 recommendations? If so, why not ask both in addition to your English teacher?

Otherwise, in my opinion, colleges probably prefer a variety of subjects in regards to teacher recs, but I’m sure having one English and one Chinese teacher will not significantly hurt your chances.

3

actually try to avoid sending the ‘optional’ 3rd one cause reps can sometimes pick randomly or sometimes toss them up…

but I would go with comp sci because i think it adds a good variety…

trust me…lor will not make much a huge diff

4

I agree with the above. It seems like both could write some positive recommendations for you. Some colleges prefer not to have multiple, but I think in this case you couldn’t really go wrong with either. Plus I think that English, Foreign Language, and Computer Science are different enough fields that it shows that you are multifaceted. Chinese I imagine will be useful if you are applying for international relations while computer science shows that you have mastered the traditionally rigorous quantitative course, plus it is from someone that has known you for multiple years. You really can’t go wrong in this case.

5

My only hesitation with the Chinese teacher would be if you are Chinese and your proficiency with Chinese was largely based on your upbringing. If that is not the case, I would go for the teacher that knows you best.

6

I disagree with the ‘well rounded recommendations’ idea. If you were applying to MIT as a comp sci major, then yes, you probably need the comp sci rec. You aren’t. If Georgetown admits you, it won’t be because you have recommendations from two very different subject areas. They can see your academic record so they know if you are well-rounded academically. The school will admit you (or not) because you stand out, sound interesting, and have something to offer. If your Chinese teacher knows you better and ‘likes you a lot’ that is easily the better choice over a teacher who ‘likes you pretty well’ even if her recs are ‘kind and thoughtful.’

International relations at Georgetown is probably their most popular major - the applicant pool is very competitive and comes from all over the country. You will need grades, test scores and recs that are better than their profile ‘on average’ would indicate to get admitted if that is your expressed area of interest. Go with the more enthusiastic letter.

7

I, too, would go with the teacher who can write the most enthusiastically, and in the most detail, about your academic accomplishments and your potential as a great student at Georgetown. Good luck!