Would it be bad if I sent a letter of rec from my sophomore year AP World History teacher? She really liked me and World History has always been my favorite class (planning to be an International Relations major), plus I founded Model UN in my school with her as a sponsor.
But I heard colleges want letters from your junior year?
If you are still working with this teacher on Model UN and you have a clear tie in with your intended major, I think it’s reasonable to ask her.
I’ve written lots of letters over the years for kids I taught as sophomores.
In my school, letters are written at the end of Junior year; they’re due before school lets out for the summer.
There are only so many letters the Junior teachers can write. We typically have 5 classes of 30-38 kids to teach.
Letters from the right teacher will be fine.
Assume nothing. Don’t rely on what you have “heard.” If a college wants/prefers a rec from a teacher from the junior or senior year, they will say so. e.g.
https://admissions.yale.edu/instructions#recs
Note that they did not say that it absolutely, positively had to come from a junior/senior year teacher.
The college wants the teacher rec to discuss not only your academic ability, but also your personal maturity, which grows exponentially during HS. However, if the 10th grade teacher taught an advanced/AP class, and you still have involvement with the teacher, it’s usually fine, since s/he will still be able to speak to personal growth/development.
This guidance is because they want LORs from teachers who know the person who will be coming to college, not an earler, younger iteration. Because you have maintained a relationship, it’s fine.
My D asked one sophomore year teacher and one junior year teacher and it was fine.