I have yet to request letters of recommendation

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
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I’m really nervous to ask for my letters of recommendation because I don’t want to have second thoughts. My senior year biology teacher said that teachers can see how many letters of rec you requested when they upload them. So she said to only ask for the number you need.

I only need 2. Here are my options:

Teacher #1: English teacher from junior year. She was my favorite teacher of all time! I learned so much in her class and I adore her. She understood my viewpoints very well and made everyone feel like what they had to say was essential to the discussion. She helped me through a lot of tough times with my family, going over and beyond what is expected from a teacher. The problem is that I heard all of her letters are well-written, but very generic. She doesn’t spend a lot of time on them. It would be nice to think I would be the exception…but I’m nervous to take that chance.

Teacher #2: English teacher from freshman and senior year. She isn’t my favorite teacher, but she is very good. I heard she writes amazing letters, but it’s hard to get one. She will only write it if she really liked your writing. She loved me freshman year and remembers me very well. We got to bring a college essay to class this year and she thought mine was almost perfect. Yet, the deciding factor for many people is how our in-class essays went last week. It’s possible that she may or may not even write me one.

Teacher #3: Psychology teacher from junior year. Unfortunately, I did not get her again this year, so I don’t know if she’s upset by that. I had her write a letter of recommendation for an internship last year and I got to read it. It was really good and emphasized my leadership in the class (she made me her honorary teacher’s assistant, so I could help people with their research papers) and that I was one of her best students. Plus, we got to the same church, so I see her every Sunday.

Teacher #4: Biology teacher from sophomore and junior year. I never thought she particularly liked me, but I did well in her class. I go back to her frequently because she helps me and my friend study for biology tests that review old material. So, she knows that I work hard and that I really enjoy biology. I also attend the club she hosts once a week, but I’m not on the board. I’m just a member.

I want to major in a science - human biology or cognitive science. I think I might need to get a humanities and a math/science rec for one of my colleges, but the rest don’t care.

Any advice? Thank you!

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I would choose your biology teacher (because you want to go into a science) and then see if #2 will write for you- if not, ask your psych teacher.

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@yonceonhismouth I agree that I should ask my biology teacher. I am still torn about which English teacher to choose because my junior year one knows me so much better than my freshman/senior one. But if the rumors are true that her letters aren’t very thoughtful, I probably shouldn’t pick her. I have no doubt that Teacher #2 would do a great job, but she doesn’t have as strong of a connection with me even if she does enjoy my writing. Ah I keep going back and forth!

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I don’t think you have to choose your english teacher if the one who writes well won’t write for you- psych is a social science/humanities class.
But I totally understand this dilemma- you ultimately want to have recs from teachers who know both you academically and outside the classroom (your character).