Letters of Recommendation Question Concerning a Retired Teacher

Applying to College
1

<p>For one of my academic letters, I am debating between a retired teacher that I had and connected with freshman and junior year and my senior English teacher right now. </p>

<p>Will having a retired English teacher send a letter have as much weight as a current?
(Note: my senior teacher is currently working on other recs, and I will need it by Nov. 1 + I do not really have a STRONG relationship with her… I’m not her worst student but also not her best.)</p>

<p>Should I just send in both? (or try to)</p>

<p>For reference: my academic letters will be: calculus teacher, English (retired/current/both?)
and my “others” will be: ultimate frisbee coach, band instructor</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Retired is usually ok. (If she taught you last year, that's recent.) The main thing is teachers who can write what adcoms need to hear about. So why the frisbee coach? You’ve seen this, right? <a href=“http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/recommendation-letters.php”>http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/recommendation-letters.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>@lookingforward
What do you mean why the frisbee coach?
He’s known me for a long time, and I feel like he has a lot of positive things to say about me. It lists “coach” as a possible writer for “other” letters.
Should I not send it?</p>

4

<p>I don’t think there would be any problem with having your junior year English teacher write a recommendation if you had him/her last year. In fact it would reflect well on your relationship that he/she is willing to do it.</p>

<p>And I’m not sure a frisbee coach would carry much weight. Your call.</p>

5

<p>Okay, great.</p>

<p>Why wouldn’t a frisbee coach carry any weight? He can explain my leadership skills, both on and off the field?</p>

6

<p>I think a bigger problem is you have too many recs. One additional rec- two is overboard.</p>

7

<p>@guineagirl96 I was actually thinking this today.
However, doesn’t Vandy say they can allow up to 5 others? Wouldn’t 2 be a safe amount? </p>

8

<p>Vandy says “quality over quantity.” I didn’t see “up to 5.” You will make this decision; as said, it’s your call. Just make sure it’s a well considered decision. Make sure you understand as much as you can about your target colleges and what they look for. </p>

9

<p>Thanks. This is tough to decide. </p>