<p>I want to major in biomedical engineering in college. Some colleges, such as Boston University and USC only requires 1 letter of teacher recommendation. Should I ask one from my AP Calculus BC teacher or my AP Biology teacher? Btw, I got A in both classes. Thanks.</p>
<p>Your grade is less important than what they say about you. After all if the grade was the important thing they could just look at your transcript. You want the teacher that’s going to describe you as curious, a pleasure to teach, a kid other students in class respect, that kind of stuff. Do a web search about strong letters of rec and you’ll see illustrations of what I mean. For example, the thread at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1183872-letters-recommendation-good-vs-fantastic.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1183872-letters-recommendation-good-vs-fantastic.html</a>. So if you seem to have “clicked” more with one than the other, use that one. Both math and science are subjects in which you’d have had the chance to show some of the skills that matter for biomed, so either is fine. </p>
<p>And be sure to ask the one you choose if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of rec or would prefer you ask someone else. This is always appropriate, phrased politely of course. While it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. In “The Gatekeepers”,in which a NY Times reporter followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan for a year, is a real-world example of a bad rec. Obviously when the student asked for a rec she assumed it would be positive, but here is what she got:
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.</p>
<p>thanks mikemac 
i think i will ask my math teacher because she knows me better
thanks again for the great reply</p>
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<p>Well, first of all, just because only one is required doesn’t mean you can submit two if both are good, and you already need two for another college. And like some other people said, if you’re going with one, then you need to figure out which one liked you better. Which one taught a class you loved? Which one would you say you knew better? etc.</p>
<p>Consider sending both letters. USC clearly states that they will accept a second letter. I am aware of one other selective college that “requires” one but will accept a second, and even a third letter. When asked about additional letters, colleges are likely to say something to the effect that a second letter won’t give you an advantage over a student who has sent one. They will also say that if the letters serve to clarify different sides of your academic persona then they would be helpful. If in doubt about whether or not a second letter is welcome, send a brief note to admissions and ask.</p>