Hey guys I’m a current senior and I will be applying ED to Duke University this November with the intention to major in economics or public policy studies.
For my teacher recommendations I am asking my English teacher who taught me my freshman and sophomore year, and I am also asking my junior year English teacher to write me a letter of recommendation. I feel like they know me the best but I am very concerned since they are both English teachers. Is this a big negative for my application?
I would try to get a teacher from another subject – preferably a STEM subject but at least a different subject.
You want to get LoRs that cover different aspect of you. Unless one of the teacher may cover different things like EC/Club activities, it would be like reading the same letter twice.
@happy1 @billcsho So would you guys recommend I get a letter of rec from my sophomore math teacher who is also my math teacher this year? He does not know me as well as my English teacher from freshman and sophomore year.
I would pick a teacher from another subject. Our CCS only allowed junior and senior teachers to write recs as they had experience with the student who is applying, not the high school newbie. You may want to think through that angle as well.
I would ask the math teacher. I know the general rule is to ask teachers who know you best but I fear having two teachers in the same subject write your LOR’s would make you come off as one-dimensional.
@gardenstategal The OP stated that he/she has the same teacher for soph. math as he/she has this year so the LOR would be considered as coming from a senior year teacher (with the benefit of knowing the OP since soph. year).
@happy1, my comment was meant to help in choosing which English teacher to choose as it sounded like the preference was for the freshman/sophomore teacher. The OP is fine with the math choice.
@gardenstategal The way I read it the OP was choosing between the science teacher and the freshman/soph English teacher…but it seems like we are on the same page in any event.
Ok thank you guys for the advice! I will be asking my math teacher and hopefully everything ends up well!
You might also discuss this with your guidance counselor.