<p>Many of the schools I'm applying to specify that they only want one letter of recommendation from a teacher. While I know that they're supposed to be from core subject teachers, I don't really know many of my core teachers very well and I don't feel like they would be able to write very extensive letters. I am very close with my band director, though, who has been very important in my life and I know has seen a lot of my personal and academic growth since I was a freshman.</p>
<p>Would it still be better to ask a core subject teacher, or would a letter from an arts instructor be okay as long as it was more in-depth and knowledgable?</p>
<p>It’s still better to ask a core subject teacher. You can submit the arts rec as an additional recommendation, though, if the schools you’re applying to allow that.</p>
<p>sarah: most colleges want to know how you’ll handle the academic setting – not necessarily the personal growth and maturity facet of your life. DO NOT submit only a band teacher’s LOR. You’ve got to get a core academic subject teacher’s rec letter </p>
<p>I’d get the letter from the core subject teacher. IF they accept 2, feel free to get one from the band director as well, but the core subject takes precedence for LORs.</p>
<p>Agreed per above. You can certainly sent it in as a supplemental recommendation but colleges want to see how you perform in the classroom which is what they are admitting you for. You might be surprised who would be willing to write your rec. I was in your situation and was shy as well, yet was surprised to find some teachers enthusiastically agree to write it despite not talking to them for a while. Good luck!</p>