Juniors at S19’s high school have already started asking for recommendations so he needs to decide who to ask. Most of the colleges on his list ask for two teacher recommendations. S19 cannot decide who to ask. When I went to parent teacher conferences, I also thought he had three teachers who stood out to me as teachers who would give him stellar recommendations.
his APUSH teacher- this is S19’s first AP/honors History class and, while lots of kids in the class knew how to write DBQs, etc., he struggled at first. By mid-year, though, he was the top student in the class. The teacher told me that he seems older than the other kids and is a leader. She said his work ethic is terrific and he came in early to see her on a regular basis first quarter in order to get up to speed. So, she would probably speak to his determination, his grit, his leadership.
his Earth Science Honors teacher - this teacher told me that he’s never had a more curious student. That the class is so much better because of the questions S19 asks in class. He said having him in class is a little like having a TA every day to help guide the discussion. So, he would speak to S19’s leadership as well but also to his inquisitiveness.
his AP Lang teacher - this teacher likes S19 and they’ve hit it off on a personal note. They are a lot alike and this teacher is so excited that S19 wants to go to a liberal arts school so that he can write within whichever discipline he chooses. He chose S19’s essay for a state wide contest (results not back yet). The essay was among 3 essays the teacher chose out of 80 for the competition. This teacher is helping S19 over the summer with his college essays.
Our GC said only two recommendations can be uploaded onto Naviance for college apps. S19 is undecided on major but no comp sci, engineering, or business, so I feel like maybe the Earth Science teacher would be important so he’s not turning in recommendations from two humanities teachers.
Thoughts? Is there ever a way to send three or would schools not like that? Who would you choose?
It depends upon the college. Some state outright that they will not accept additional recs. Others will.
However if the third rec says nothing substantially different than the other 2, than it’s really just more “stuff.” Ideally, a supplemental rec would be better from a person that can provide additional perspective - a coach or an employer as examples. Otherwise, the old adage can apply; the thicker the file, the thicker the kid.
If it were me…I would follow the directions on the college website. If the school asks for ONLY 2 recommendations…send only 2.
You want them to know that you can read directions.
That being said…there is no reason your kiddo can’t have a third teacher WRITE him a recommendation. He may decide to use that recommendation at some schools. OR some colleges might allow 3 recommendations. OR when the time comes, you can contact the college(a) and ask if an additional recommendation is allowed.
I see Earth Science as a freshman course…and if it isn’t, it isn’t Bio, Chem or Physics. I would go with the AP teachers unless there is a requirement for a math/science teacher.
@bopper that’s interesting. Lots of kids at our school take Bio H, Chem H, Earth Science H and then AP Physics. The Earth Science class is a duel enrollment class if that makes a difference. All of S19’s other classes are AP. He could ask his BC Calc teacher since he has a good grade in there but she’s a bore and he really doesn’t think she’s would have anything personal or interesting to say about anyone in his class. Not sure if going with AP Lang and APUSH is sending two recs that would be pretty similar.
Interesting thought about the class not being AP though. I’ll ask our GC what she thinks about that.
That does not bother me. Different schools have different curriculum paths. If it’s an 11th grade teacher, I don’t think it really matters.
Unless a college gives specific guidance {e.g. one STEM and one humanities), it’s a personal decision. He should go with his gut with whichever ones he think will be stronger. If it’s a 3-way tie, I’d personally go with the 2 AP teachers.
Follow the rules. Some schools are strict about the number of recommendations. For college apps to most competitive schools, the essays can make a difference. There are definite dos & don’ts with respect to essays.
My daughter is a senior, so we just finished apps. If a college limits it to 2, it isn’t possible to submit 3, because the system is computerized, and you can only select two. But several of the colleges my DD applied to limited it to 3, so you can ask all three, but then you still have to choose for some of the colleges.
The GC also writes a letter. In our school, they ask both parent and student to provide a list of accomplishments, interests, strengths, etc. Some of the accomplishments you mentioned can be included by the GC (such as essay selected by teacher for competition), even if that teacher doesn’t write a letter.
@Publisher You tease us! What are the other do’s and don’ts for recommendations! I know they are important. S19 has the grades amd the scores and the rigor. We need these recs to be good. I know his teachers love him. I heard it with my own ears. But that needs to be written in these recs that we will never see.