I feel like its really hard to get an amazing rec letter from a normal teacher that you did well in. Even if you are amazing, did well on tests, and had excellent participation and work, it doesn’t compare to teachers you’ve known for a few years through ECs. Regular teachers have 150+ students each year, and by the time you reach senior year and ask for letters they have another 150 who are juniors.
What are examples of teachers through ECs? I feel like my school’s teachers aren’t that involved. Only examples I can think of are band directors, and science teacher who manages science bowl team.
My D33 is having a similar issue. Her ”core”teachers don’t really know her enough to write a glowing recommendation. However, her Research teacher she has had all three years ( who was also her 10th grade AP Psychology teacher) basically told my D she would write her an outstanding recommendation. BUT our private college advisor is telling us it must come from a core 5 subject teacher. We are torn!
Psychology is a social science, which is a core subject. Teachers of psych, econ, govt, are all fine for recs. Music, art, theater are best as supplemental recs, if the college allows. Gym, drivers Ed, health, wood shop are best avoided for recs.
The point of recs is to discuss kid’s academic performance and potential in the classroom, not their EC’s
I realize it is harder now, but my D asked teachers that had her in class for more than one year and who knew her outside the classroom. One was her history teacher that was involved in her theater group and her main leadership activity. The other was a science teacher she had for physics and o chem, who also was the academic dean. He had a broader perspective being one of the deans. He was also involved in her sci oly team.
Many colleges only ask for one rec, so as long as you have one teacher you feel will give you a great rec, it’s fine if they teach sociology or similar. Make sure you ask a teacher who teaches YOU an academic subject, not just a teacher who mentors you in an EC. Colleges want these recs because they want to know your strengths as a classroom participant, and not so much your social skills outside a classroom.
If you’re struggling with finding a second teacher recommender, think about classes in which you’ve participated and worked hard. It doesn’t have to be the class you got an A in.
Just a note to add: For potential recommenders who know you from EC’s outside of school, ask the colleges if they would accept an additional letter- if that EC is very important to you. For the arts/music, supplements are an important addition to the application.
Really needs to be a core teacher (English, Math, History, Science or Language) and I would say the student needs to make a point to get to know those teachers junior year. Talk to them about your interests, what you do for ECs so they get to know you and what you’re into. Create a relationship so that when it comes time to writing about you they not only write about capabilities in the classroom but your characteristics and passions as well.
It would be unacceptable to send an academic LOR from a teacher who only knows you through ECs. However if you also had your EC advisor as a classroom teacher in 10th - 12th grade then that would work.
You can still ask your EC advisor for a LOR and send it to schools that accept supplemental recommendations.