I am hoping to apply as a freshman early in state for GA tech, and I am a male of South-Asian descent. I had recently asked two science teachers to do my college recs for commonapp, but the second told me I should consider asking a language arts or other subject teacher because colleges would want to see that I had strengths in several areas.
I have three current options for my teacher rec for GA Tech (they only ask for one teacher and one counseler if I am not mistaken.) The first is a biology teacher who takes pride in being an alumnus; he/she is known for writing the best recommendations at our school. The second is a former engineer-physics teacher who I am having for a second year. I received a 5 on the AP class he/she taught in. The third is a an AP Research teacher, and also teaches an AP language arts class. This teacher is incredibly smart and well thought on paper.
Which one should be the recommender for GA Tech? I’m thinking the former-engineer for GT, but I would also like to ask which 2 should I pick for other colleges? If I missed any important details or if there is something obvious that is like on the GT website, please tell me! Thanks in advance.
Seems like the GT alumnus known for writing great recommendations would be the obvious choice. How well does this person know you? If either of the other teachers know you better, then you may want to go with them.
In any case, I highly recommend that you put together a resume or fact sheet if you haven’t done so already so that they can refer to things about you that they may have otherwise forgotten or maybe didn’t even know (work or volunteer experience for example). This will allow them to add details and depth to their recommendations that they otherwise may not be able to add.
Also, make sure that when you request their recommendation you give them plenty of advanced notice and time to complete the recommendation (common courtesy really). GT’s EA deadline in Oct 15 (you probably already know this), so I would target the end of this week or next at the latest for asking them.
He/She is actually a mercer alumnus, which probably changes things up drastically. I’m probably going to try to get the one that is best at writing rec letters (the mercer alumnus) for the GA Tech rec because he knows me quite well. And he has asked for such a sheet that you mentioned. For the other recommender for other classes I’m planning on the AP LA class teacher; she also knows me quite well. Thanks for the response.