Who should I ask for a recommendation?

Mascara
Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:54:32 +0000

I’m applying for a summer program (it’s a local one, but I’m sure it’s pretty competitive). It’s for a biomedical lab thing, but I don’t know who I should ask for my letter of recommendation: my Science Olympiad coach or my AP Bio teacher. I’m practically the favorite on the SciOly team, and I know he would write an outstanding letter for me. However, I don’t know if he would be able to express my interest in biology, since I’ve only very briefly mentioned my thoughts on anything non-SciOly related. He is a biology teacher.

I have a pretty good relationship with my AP Bio teacher, but I’m definitely not the top in a class of 25 students (maybe in the top 5? I average A-s on tests, A in class, but still). However, I’m the only one who discusses the concepts and questions in class with him, sometimes staying back to keep talking about advancements in genetics research. I don’t feel as though he likes me as much as my SciOly coach does, but I know he truly appreciates the thought and effort I put into the class… since I’m the only one that makes an effort to talk at all. Will my lack of top-student status work against me?

The deadline for the application is the end of March, so I have time. Who should I ask to recommend me?