Additional recommendations?

Applying to College
1

Hey everyone, junior here! I know it’s advisable to have two recommendations, and I’m most likely getting them from my physics and english teachers. However, today my Spanish teacher was talking to our class about college, and he was encouraging our class to apply to top tier schools because he thinks we have a chance.

He told us that he’s been on the admissions board for both NYU and Vanderbilt, so he understands how the college game works. He also told us that he’d be willing to write recommendations for any one of us. I do pretty well in his class and he also told me that I’m one of his best non-native Spanish speakers.

My major will be aerospace engineering or astrophysics, so Spanish doesn’t really relate, but should I ask him for one next school year if it really could help me? Thanks

2

I would not add a third academic teacher. Normally if you have an additional recommendation it is from someone who knows you in a different setting (ex. employer, coach, music teacher etc.) and can talk about a different, non-academic part of your personality/achievements. If you want to use the Spanish teacher instead of the English teacher you may consider that. You can also talk to your guidance counselor because they often have an idea of who writes strong recommendations.

3

Agree with happy1. You know you can ask your Spanish teacher for a rec, but you then need to let the other teacher know about it. It shouldn’t be a problem, they understand that kids change their mind. A rec from a Lang teacher is just as valid as from any other teacher.