Does a computer science teacher fit into math/science for recs?

<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I've asked this in a couple of other boards; and forgive me if I'm being obnoxious, but I just noticed how strictly the list of subjects for teacher recommendations was spelled out. I was going to ask my computer science teacher for a recommendation, but does that fall under a math or science teacher? I guess the credit is really a technology credit. It's just that I plan to major in computer science and I've known him for 3 years; does it get better than that?</p>

<p>Thanks,
-Stacy</p>

<p>I did the same thing. I almost sure that it counts, especially because I'm talking about my interest in engineering in my essays. I would think Computer Science falls under science and math. I also asked my Government teacher for my other reccomendation.</p>

<p>I applied last year, but does Stanford explicitly say that they want recs from a humanities teacher and a math/science teacher? My recs were from a history teacher and an English teacher and it worked out fine.</p>

<p>Actually, it just specifies two recs from teachers in "the following subject areas..." Math, Science, English, History, etc. I just can't figure out if compsci fits in here.</p>

<p>I'd be surprised if it didn't apply. You might consider calling Undergraduate Admissions and asking them if you can have a rec from a CS teacher just to be sure. </p>

<p>Even if it doesn't apply, this might actually be a good person to write an additional rec. You'd have to really think about it and see if he/she has insights that your other teachers wouldn't, but if you know your teacher especially well and want to major in the subject that could possibly be an instance where it would make sense to have a 3rd teacher rec. Make sure the teacher would add something to the application though.</p>

<p>I'm getting recs from my English and Foreign Language. Stanford just asks for different departments, although I know some schools (MIT for one) are more specific.</p>

<p>I have a friend (who applied last year from India) who got his recs from a computer science teacher, math teacher and an english teacher. He had his computer science teacher fill the optional reco form. Another friend did submit his computer science reco as his 'math/science' teacher. He got in Stanford. </p>

<p>So i don't think that it makes much of a difference, as long as that teacher has something unique to say about you. But i agree with marlgirl. Call the admissions office to make sure.</p>

<p>A rec letter from a CS teacher that has known you for three years is totally appropriate, especially since you want to major in CS. Don't be so concerned about what category the letter falls in.</p>

<p>I'm going to go with the "call admissions" option. One reading of "math, science, english, history..." says that they want teachers in core courses, which CS might not be. But they might also just intend to exclude areas like arts, gym, health, shop, and the like.</p>