How big of a problem is this?

Applying to College
1

<p>So I've asked two teachers to write letters of recommendation for me. One of them is my honors precalc teacher from junior year. I also had her for geometry freshman year, so asking her was a no brainer to me. She likes me; I'm not worried about her recommendation.</p>

<p>I was going to ask my Spanish teacher for the second one, but she suddenly switched to a new district so I can't get one from her. I felt like I didn't have great relationships with either my history or English teachers, either, so I didn't ask them.</p>

<p>That left me with my journalism teacher from junior year and newspaper adviser for this year. She's one of my all-time favorite teachers and I have honestly grown so much through her class and the journalism program. I feel confident that she'd write me a great recommendation, but I'm just worried that it won't carry as much weight because she doesn't teach a "core" subject, but rather an elective (although it is included in my academic GPA). Is it a huge problem if she writes my recommendation? Will colleges look down upon this?</p>

2

<p>It depends on what you’re planning on majoring in. It’s not really a problem unless you’re applying to schools that specifically state they want rec letters from core teachers or you’re going into something like engineering. If she’ll write a great letter, ask her. If you’re still unsure, a lot of colleges are willing to take a third letter.</p>

3

<p>You still can get one from your Spanish teacher. I’m also asking for recommendations, and did ask a teacher who went to a different district, with success.</p>

4

<p>I am applying undecided, so that shouldn’t be an issue, but I know that one school I’m applying to prefers letters from teachers in the five core subjects. </p>

<p>I don’t want to ask another teacher though. I don’t feel comfortable having anyone else write one…</p>

5

<p>Ask your GC where your Spanish teacher is teaching, and contact her. Shouldn’t be a problem.</p>

6

<p>I emailed my guidance counselor because he’s never in his office :confused: so hopefully I hear back from him soon.</p>

<p>In the meantime, I’ve emailed my admissions counselor for the school in question; I don’t really see a reason for them not to let me submit my journo teacher’s letter if her class counts toward my unweighted GPA. It’s not like I’m asking my gym teacher.</p>

7

<p>If I where you I would submit two recs from core class teachers and then a third and an extra one from your journalism teacher.</p>

8

<p>Many schools don’t care if it’s a “core” subject or not, as long as it’s an academic subject. Other schools may consider journalism to be core as a subset of English.</p>