<p>On the Brown website it says recommendations have to come from a major academic subject. But is this a requirement or just a preference?</p>
<p>“Through the Common Application (see the Guide for Applying) applicants can request school forms and recommendations via email from their guidance counselor and from two teachers who have taught them in major academic subjects (science, social studies, mathematics, foreign language, English).”</p>
<p>I’m asking because one of the teachers that I plan to ask a rec for teaches a tech class. I have 2 classes with him everyday so he knows me better than my other teachers. But he wouldn’t fall under those five categories, so I am worried that the rec would be useless.</p>
<p>Also, do recs have to come from different subjects?</p>
<p>Sure, you can submit a rec from a non-core class. And you can submit recs from teachers of the same discipline. And your app won’t be immediately thrown into the deny pile. But it will be a black mark against you, and given how competitive it is to get into Brown, do you really want to start from a negative position?</p>
<p>Get recs from two different core classes, and ask the tech teacher to write a supplemental rec. Brown wants to know how you perform in academic subjects, wants to understand your intellectual capabilities, how you operate in a classroom. It’s more than a teacher knowing you well. </p>
<p>The only exception to this might be if the tech class is computer science/engineering related, and you plan on majoring in CS. But if it’s like woodworking or automotive technology, go for the core classes.</p>
<p>Wait so are you saying that it’s bad to ask one rec from a AP US History teacher and a AP World History/Economics teacher? Because that is what I was going to do if the tech rec didn’t work.</p>