<p>First of all congrats for getting in....I hope I do for next year! </p>
<p>Anyhow, did you all send in a math teacher rec? I would rather send in a science and english teacher rec as they would be really solid - teachers I've had for a couple of years. Columbia says to send in a math and one other. Will they mind if I don't do the math teacher since I'll be using a science teacher? I'm already sending in an additional rec from my coach (it's a national team I do outside of school) so I don't want to send in 3 teachers as well. I've never had a math teacher longer than a semester to really get to know well enough to write a solid rec.</p>
<p>Thanks for any advice on what worked for you!</p>
<p>luke warm recommendations lacking detail from teachers who didn't know you well will probably hurt your application more than choosing a similar subject area. I know someone who sent two science recommendations and got in. So I think the subject area is less important than the rec itself. especially science since, seas is as scientific as it is mathematical. You clearly do not want to be rejected because you sent recs from wrong subject areas, which might possibility happen, so I think you should definitely call up and ask the admissions office, explaining your circumstances, i think they primarily want to best evaluate you holistically not follow an application rule if it inhibits that evaluation.</p>
<p>I'm sending in one from my history teacher and the other from my engineering teacher (applying to SEAS). I know that's fine because the last person (and only person for that matter) who applied and went from my school to columbia did that combo. So it should be fine but as everyone else said, check first. I'm probably going to call one day just to be sure.</p>
<p>No. They want to know that you like more than just math/science. I had my debate coach do my other one. But then again, don't just get a non-math one if you know you'll get a mediocre rec. Two good recs from a math and science teacher are better than one good rec from a math teacher and a crappy one from your english teacher.</p>