MODERATOR NOTE to “Perplexed about Teacher Recs” thread:
I’ll merge this thread with: asking for recommendations sticky thread.
Thank you Chedva!
I’m just being very cautious about all of these small details - I don’t want to be dropped out immediately just because I asked the wrong teacher 
J’ai une question:
How much of a difference does it make if neither of my recommendations is from a teacher associated with my intended field of study? Like, at all?
I want to do cognitive neuroscience (and I’m talking about that on my apps), but the ones who know me best are my French and English teachers. I might try to get one from my Bio teacher whom I had freshman year and will have this year… but that’s not definite. 
edit: And what’s this about having one from a humanities class and and one from a math/science? Is that required or just strongly recommended or…?!
I don’t think it will matter much at all. I think the college admissions deans want a teacher’s perspective on your work ethic, ability to communicate, cooperation, etc. and don’t care as much about how good you are at cognitive neuroscience.
Some schools require certain teachers for recs–last year I applied to UChicago and I needed one humanities and one math/science teacher. If it’s not required, it’s not required, but it’s generally positive to show the colleges that you can work hard in both humanities and in math/science. But it’s even more important to get recommendations from people who can speak most thoroughly about your work ethic, interpersonal skills, intellectual curiosity, etc.
I know that this is a huge bump, but how would you go about getting a rec from a teacher that you don’t know that well, but the best out of all fo the science/math people. (Don’t know that well as in you did fairly well in the class but nothing special)
Just go up and ask. You might want to ask if they are willing to write you a strong letter of rec. Then they will probably decline if they don’t the letter will be that good. You don’t need to have done anything special to get a good rec, though.
Just ask. Every teacher I asked said yes, even if I didn’t know them very well. I guess just make sure that you are doing alright in the class and that you’ve never caused any problems. I highly doubt they would say no unless they had a lot of recommendations to do already. If you HAVE to get a science/math teacher then don’t wait around trying to figure out what to say. And if you have all of the forms and everything with the stamp and envelope, you should be fine. Don’t be shy, just do it.
I would make sure that you got another teacher that DID know you well to write you a recommendation as well.
I know this is kind of a stupid question, but I just want to be clear. Usually should students have everything ready as in the teacher evaluation forms and stuff along with them when they ask for a letter of recommendation? Also, I hear it’s good to have a resume…but I’m not really sure as to how to ask for one really. Can I have some input? Thanks.
Hey everyone!! How are you doing with your college applications? I wish you best of the lucks!!
I have one quick question. It’s short but will help me tremendously, and I’ll thank you and love you like forever (well at least for two days, really)!! 
Schools usually require, recommendation letters from two teachers, right? Does at least one have to be from your humanity teacher?
Are there any schools that you know that require at leat one to be your humanity teacher? (like English, foreign language, history)
I’m going to be applying to engineering schools… (including MIT and CalTech… although I don’t have much chance XD )
I always got the impression that it is, but then I went to admission websites and there were no words saying that. I just wanted to make sure…
Also, does Economics teacher count as humanity teacher, too?
eh, anyone?
You can email or talk to the professor and ask them for a recommendation. Usually, they’ll tell you they need information, and then, you can ask them what information they need specifically. All of my professors wrote back and asked about my leadership roles in school and outside of school. I’m sure they’ll ask about your extracurricular activities and sometimes, they even ask for hobbies. You’ll have to wait for the professor’s response since every professor is different.
Check the posted thread for recommendations first: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/386669-asking-recommendations.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/386669-asking-recommendations.html</a>
What I did first was talk to the teachers briefly if they would be comfortable filling recommendations. When they told me they would I said that I would have a finalized package of all the forms/envelopes/labels/stamps/resume/instructions/etc. needed so that they will just fill out forms and mail them without any other worry/burden.
MODERATOR NOTE to “How do you ask for a recommendation?” thread:
I’ll merge this thread with: asking for recommendations sticky thread.
MODERATOR NOTE to “Getting teacher recs?” thread:
I’ll merge this thread with: asking for recommendations sticky thread.
Quick Question. As many of you know, you usually need two recommendations. Well here comes the dilemma. There are three teachers that especially love me:
Science (AP Physics B), English (AP Language), and Math (College Pre-Calculus). I got an A+ in all of their classes, they all love me, and I need to chose two of them. I’m going into the Science fields (surgeon) for sure.
However, although they all like me to the same magnitude, my Science teacher is kind’ve a crazy man. I’m sure he’d write an amazing recommendation (as he gave me an amazing award), but still, my math teacher LOVES me and so does my English.
So, I’m think, yes, I should get English, to be well rounded (opposite side of the career spectrum. Yet, should I get Science or Math? Is it true that you SHOULD get one that parallels your career?
BTW - You need TWO recommendations. I’m already getting English, but what do i do with Science/Math (I need to choose between the two)
English teachers write the best recommendations… or so I’ve heard. They can write much better than a math/science wiz… ya know, since they’re English teachers?
MODERATOR NOTE to “College Recommendations Question” thread:
I’ll merge this thread with: asking for recommendations sticky thread.
Quick Question. As many of you know, you usually need two recommendations. Well here comes the dilemma. There are three teachers that especially love me:
Science (AP Physics B), English (AP Language), and Math (College Pre-Calculus). I got an A+ in all of their classes, they all love me, and I need to chose two of them. I’m going into the Science fields (surgeon) for sure.
However, although they all like me to the same magnitude, my Science teacher is kind’ve a crazy man. I’m sure he’d write an amazing recommendation (as he gave me an amazing award), but still, my math teacher LOVES me and so does my English.
So, I’m think, yes, I should get English, to be well rounded (opposite side of the career spectrum. Yet, should I get Science or Math? Is it true that you SHOULD get one that parallels your career?
BTW - You need TWO recommendations. I’m already getting English, but what do i do with Science/Math (I need to choose between the two)
Remember - I’m going to be a Science Major!
Choose any. Rather if you find no point of difference, choose the teacher whose English is better. Any one will do!
You should give your teachers a resume if they are going to write you a recommendation. This way EVERYTHING you have done your high school career will be documented in this rec. At my school teachers get annoyed and frustrated when a student doesn’t hand in a resume…I personally believe handing one to them can only help if anything.
Try talking to a guidance counselor about this, they should have no problem helping you.