<p>The “unusual person” could be another teacher, just select someone who has a unique view of you and can say different things about you. Many college apps require one “techie” teacher rec and one “fuzzy” teacher rec. And usually they require the recs to be teachers you had in high school. Stanford, for example, just crosses out all 9th grade information on your transcript and tells you not to include 9th grade activities and accomplishments. That is why it is so nice that they allow an optional rec. My son used his middle school English teacher who had taught him for three years and truly “got” my son’s humor and writing style. Just be open to asking someone who otherwise would not be able to write a college rec for you.
An unusual zip code is a plus. We know someone admitted from Alaska.</p>