<p>My counselor told me to start thinking about Recommendations for next year; I want to go into a BS/MD program in college or get to medical school the normal route, if I must. However, it would seem that I should ask my biology teacher for a recommendation because that would be most pertinent to the intended field. Yet, in biology, there's nothing I can do besides perform well in class, ask questions, and do the labs -- nothing of which makes me stand out or gives the foundation for an exceptional rec. I feel that this rec wouldn't really add much to my application.</p>
<p>I was thinking that I should ask either my English teacher (11th grade), my Latin teacher (9th-12th), or my history teacher (9th grade and possibly 12th, also club adviser). I feel like those classes are ones in which I can truly have added insight and input and have contributed. My history teacher is actually the best teacher I've ever had, and I'll have trouble picking two out of the three. But, if I ask them to stress qualities that I have that would prove beneficial to a scientific field, would that still be sufficient, or is having a recommendation from a science teacher the way to go? In my opinion, anecdotal example of me excelling can be found much easier in classes such as those I have mentioned, for they foster discussion and enable me to display writing and analytical skills. So, what do you guys think about this situation? Sorry if this is excessively long.</p>
<p>Did you ask your guidance counselor about this?
When I had my meeting, I told him a few of the teachers I was considering asking, he was able to subtlety hint at which teachers in general write good letters</p>
<p>I'm no expert, but if it were me, I'd get one from the bio teacher and the other from the history teacher</p>
<p>I don't want to ask someone in the school because I feel it might seem as if I'm insulting my Bio teacher. The class itself is great, but there's nothing I can do in the class that would make for a great rec. I try to be really comprehensive and ask questions about the minutiae of what we're learning, but otherwise, it's just taking notes and tests. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I asked him, and I might have to, if only because a bio rec would be germane to my application. I just think that I can get the best recs overall from one of the other teachers because the classroom environment lends itself to me demonstrating positive qualities.</p>
<p>i think maybe you should get bio teacher who could add insight about maybe your science working habits or diligence or passion for science. and then pick one of the other three who could show a different side of you. you want to try to pick two teachers in different subjects so you can show as many facets of your personality as possible.</p>
<p>It depends on the schools you're looking at. Not all accept you into a major or track; some don't look at your intended major. On the other hand, some require recommendations from classes related to your intended major. Do some research on their websites or call them up and ask. I doubt there will be much gray area--they'll probably tell you that either it doesn't matter at all or it is required. But if they just say it's "recommended" I would personally not ask the bio teacher.</p>
<p>My final point is that you CAN stand out in a class if you just "perform well in class, ask questions, and do the labs". If you show that you're really into learning and getting the most out of that class, that's quite something.</p>
<p>Don't focus too much on matching your intended major to your recommendations. </p>
<p>Get your recs from a teacher that knows you extremely well, and wouldn't without a doubt write a good letter of recommendation. If you feel your Biology teacher can't do those things, then get someone else.</p>