Dartmouth Recommendations?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

Hi everyone, so on Dartmouth’s website under the teacher recommendations section the description says “We want to know from your junior- or senior-year teachers of academic classes (math, history, etc.) what you are like in the classroom.” Would it be ok to pick one of the teachers I had freshmen year for Spanish that, while may have only taught me freshmen year, was a club adviser for a club that I have been heavily involved all throughout high-school (our school’s international club)? I believe that while I haven’t had him in a classroom setting since freshmen year he can really talk for my abilities and interest in languages, current invents, and leadership? The only problem that I have would be that he only taught me in a classroom setting for one year and it was early in high school. Would it be ok or should I ask another teacher?

P.S. I have another teacher from my junior year (APUSH) I’m going to be asking aside from him since Dartmouth requires two anyway I just want to know for this one specifically whether or not it is a good idea to have him write the recommendation instead of a more recent classroom-focused teacher.

Any input is greatly appreciated!!!

2

Dartmouth is telling you junior or senior year. They are not giving you any wiggle room by writing “we prefer” or “we highly recommend”. It’s pretty clear.

IMHO, I think a better strategy would be to get two solid recommendations from junior year teachers that speak to your performance/abilities in the classroom. Ideally, each one should specifically highlight something different. The freshman year teacher can write a supplemental recommendation if you think it would significantly add to your application.

Use your best judgment though. From the Dartmouth website:

“We review supplementary recommendations, but they aren’t usually necessary. An extra letter from someone who knows you well from a significantly different setting may be useful; generic letters from distant connections can detract from the impact you’re trying to make.”

3

Show that you can follow directions and get your LOR from a junior or senior year teacher.