Depending on what school I attend, I will be majoring in either biology or molecular biology. Last year (my junior year), I took two science classes (Honors Chemistry and AP Biology). I was hoping to use either my chemistry teacher or my biology teacher as a teacher recommendation, since I want to major in science. But, as it turned out, my chemistry teacher was highly disorganized, and barely knew anybody’s name in the class. My biology teacher had an unusually large amount of students during my junior year. My biology class was really large, and half of it was filled with really smart seniors, and so my biology teacher didn’t really get to know me (for the first few months, she didn’t even know my first name).
So, instead, out of fear of getting a generic set of recommendation letters, I picked my AP World History teacher and my AP Calculus teacher. My history teacher only had one AP class this year, and I was one of the top students in the class. I participated frequently, worked hard, behaved, and she even gave me an award for academic excellence in her class.
I have had my calculus teacher for two years now (in both sophomore and junior year). She has said that I was one of her top calculus students, and she has said that she has been very impressed with my work in both her precalculus class during my sophomore year, and her AP class during my junior year. I also became a member of an environmental club that she runs.
Despite the fact that I chose two teachers that know me very well, and have acknowledged that I am a really good student, I worry that my chances have been hurt by the fact that I couldn’t really get a good recommendation letter from my junior year science teachers simply due to the circumstances that neither of them knew me very well. For example, Penn, which is one of my reach schools, advised prospective students to choose teachers that teach a subject related to the intended major. And while math goes well with science, I’m not sure if having a recommendation from a history teacher would be helpful.
Of course it’s helpful. Colleges want to see that you can write/communicate synthesize ideas and info from a wide variety of sources. So will your future employers. Plus colleges know that upwards of +60% of students change intended majors. Some estimates are higher.
It’s helpful obviously to have a recommendation from a teacher in a related subject/major, but it’s not required. You have a math teacher so you’re good on the STEM side. Also, the history teacher is fine because it shows you have a humanities side and aren’t just a one-man band. It’s better to have quality recommendations.
I think you would be smart to pick the World History and Calc teachers for your recommendations since they know you the best. Admissions officers don’t put a ton of stock in your expected major (since I’ve heard them say that half of the students apply undecided and half of the students applying with a major end up switching while in college) so I don’t think the lack of a science teacher would hurt you (especially since you will have a teacher for a STEM subject)…
Unsolicited comment – many students (at least where I live) arrange for recommendations at the end of their junior year so consider if you want to try to contact the two teachers in an unobtrusive manner (school email?) and ask over the summer if they can do your letters. If you are uncomfortable contacting them over the summer be sure to talk to both teachers during the first week of school.
@happy1 I already have arranged for my teachers to write my recommendations, and they both said they would be happy to write letters of recommendation. They were even willing to write them earlier than usual in order to accommodate the rolling admission policies of some of the schools I’m applying to. I already filled out the necessary forms (such as brag sheets and the FERPA waiver). Now, I’m just worrying because I’m starting to have doubts that I won’t get into my reach schools, and this is one of the reasons I’m doubting my chances of admission.
Don’t doubt yourself, you made the right choices. Schools will be more interested in a recommendation from a teacher who knows you well than what subject it they had you in – and as I and other have said you have a humanities and a STEM class covered so you are fine.
Reach schools are just that – reaches. If you get in it is great…if not you will need to move on. There are so many great colleges and universities out there.
Despite the fact many kids change majors, adcoms can look at how you did explore and challenge yourself in whatever major you do write down (includes actiities, too.) That can show how you think, choose and commit. So yes, they do like relevant LoRs.
And calc is relevant. The problem is more for STEM kids who skip a STEM rec entirely.
I am going to be a finance major at TCU, and my letters were from two English teachers and a math teacher. I got in and into the Honors college. As far as UPenn goes, I have a classmate and close friend that go in with the same teachers and an economics major. As long as the letters display great character and quality you should be fine.
First, most schools do not admit you into specific major. Second, most majors does not have related subject in high school anyway. If you do have a teacher recommendation in related field, that is great. But it does not really matter if you don’t. It is far more important to have LORs from a teacher really knows you and can write good letter.