I requested 7 teachers for a letter of rec, which two should I prioritize if im applying to basically every T20?
Applying for business/finance, and before anyone says anything, I have a 3.85 (first semester of freshman year was bad, after that, straight As + top 10% of class), probably 3.5/5 to 4/5 when it comes to extracurrciulars (not an overestimate).
AP Chem/Chem (two years in a row)
AP Research/AP World (two years in a row)
AP Calc (1 year, got a bad grade both semesters)
AP Lit/ASB Advisor for 2yrs prior (and current)
APUSH/AP Gov
I know for a fact that my humanities teachers are gonna write better rec’s, even if my AP Chem one would still be good. Should I go for one stem one humanities still?
Why would you ask 7 teachers to write LORs when most schools only accept two? I’m not sure what schools are on your list but most “top” schools state that they prefer, or even require in some cases, one STEM and one Humanities. Check each school you’re applying to and I think you’ll find that’s the case.
Asking for letters from 7 teachers is overkill, IMO.
Asking seven teachers wastes the teachers’ time during part of the year when they’re writing lots of letters. You won’t be able to use seven letters for any application, and one of your letters would be the counselor’s letter, so why not withdraw your requests for all but two or three.
Most schools will require one or two: counselor’s letter plus a teacher in a core subject.
Most T20s probably allow for three: counselor’s letter plus two teachers in core subjects (ideally one STEM and one Humanities/SocialSciences, however the most important thing is that you choose teachers who know you really well).
Many schools will allow an additional letter as supplemental material. In this case, you would choose a teacher in an elective (or someone who’s supervised you in an EC in or outside of school), who can speak to qualities and abilities that your other recommenders can’t. This letter, if you use it, should add something to the application that does not overlap with the other letters you are submitting. It’s totally optional, and only ask for this letter if it meets this description.
So that adds up to the counselor’s letter plus two core teachers, plus (maybe) one elective/EC teacher or supervisor. Withdraw your requests from all others so you don’t burden them with a task that will not help anyone and will take the teachers’ time and attention away from other students who need letters.
If both were taught by the same instructor, this is your best (really only) STEM recommendation based on the information you’ve given.
This would be a good recommendation if you plan to do any undergraduate research in college.
This one would be the better humanities/social sciences recommendation if the classes were taken in 11th & 12th grade & not earlier. Colleges tend to prefer recommendations from instructors that taught you in 11th & 12th than 9th & 10th.
It depends on the school and how many they require.
If one, I’d use the one I thought was best.
If two, I’d use the second one I thought was best - that was in the opposite type subject.
I would use Junior year teachers before others.
And I would make sure to give each a brag sheet or resume so they know more about you, what you’re like outside of class, etc.
I wouldn’t over think which I’d use - Junior year and the one you like best. And then the next you think will be best - opposite subject.
And I’d thank the others for offering but let them know, you’ve gotten two in already and you wanted to be respectful of their time so they can help others.
The classes you take and major are likely not relevant here.
Agree. Do not ask 7 teachers for LORs. It is incredibly rude to waste the time and energy of professionals at your HS. Decide upon the two best teachers (one STEM and one humanities is ideal) and have them write your LORs. I’d go for the AP Chem teacher plus one from an English or SS teacher.
NO T20 school, or any college at all, is going to accept 7 teacher references. Your guidance counselor is not going to upload 7 references because they can’t.
It’s very simple: Ask two teachers, ideally 1 in humanities and 1 in STEM. Who do you ask? The teachers with whom you get along, who like you, who you feel will have good things to say about you. That doesn’t have to be the class you have an A+ in. Don’t waste a teacher’s precious time by asking for 7 recs. That is not going to help you AT ALL.
You are not able to read your teacher recommendations. You are not allowed to see them. You have to waive FERPA. If you don’t, no teacher will want to write a rec for you. Sometimes teachers will share a rec with you. They shouldn’t do this.
The mayor or DECA advisor might be a good person to ask for a rec, but they should know you personally and be able to say truthful things about your character.
For an optional ? Who knows you better ? Who do you think will go more in depth into your qualities.
It’s probably no matter either way but you are not looking for he worked for me and did a good job. You’re looking for things they can’t see on paper - about your drive, hustle, ability to work with others, etc. the extra letter probably is of little value in general.
Some colleges accept one supplemental recommendation. Ask the can best speak about you and your accomplishments. Do not ask both. As with teachers, you need to value and appreciate their time and energy.
Pick the person who can give a specific story, not the bigger title. For a business and finance applicant, that usually points to the DECA advisor, if that advisor saw you lead a team, handle a setback, or improve a result over time. A mayor letter that only says you worked hard for a couple of years reads like a prestige letter, and admissions readers see through that fast.
Before you ask either one, check each college in Common App to see whether it takes a supplemental letter at all. Some schools take zero extra letters, some take one. Send a supplemental letter only to the schools that invite it, and send only one. Do not send both, because the second one will just repeat the first and waste a reader’s time.
If you choose the DECA advisor, give that person a short one page note with three things: the DECA role you held, one concrete project or result, and the deadline for that specific college. Ask in person if you can, and ask this week, since early deadlines are days away for many schools. Then thank the other teachers who offered, and tell them plainly that you already have your two core letters in place, so they do not spend hours writing a letter you cannot use.
These would be additional LORs as neither of these people instructed you in a class at your high school. Some colleges don’t even take additional LORs.
You need one STEM and one humanities teacher from your school who have had you as a student.
You are currently a HS senior? You should have requested your two teacher LOR long ago.