Importance of who writes your rec letters?

<p>I have a bit of a dilemma.</p>

<p>Out of the two teacher rec letters that I need I have one teacher who I know would be willing and glad to write a letter for me so I am not too worried.
When it comes to my second rec letter I'm a bit uncertain.</p>

<p>My school's orchestra conductor I know would be willing to write a great letter but I am not looking to go into a music career. However, having been concertmaster and an important contribution to my school's orchestra I know it is someone I can fall back.</p>

<p>I've heard that its important to get a math or science teacher to write you a rec letter if you are wanting to go into a science related major. I have a science teacher I know who would write a rec letter but...from what I've heard from other students who got rec letters from him, they are not that great at all...</p>

<p>Suggestions on what I should do?</p>

<p>Most schools want teachers from solids. And, if you want a STEM major and don’t have a letter from a math-sci teacher, adcoms will notice and wonder why. Check the colleges’ web sites for any particular guidelines. Not all LoRs are well written but adcoms try to glean what they can from them. Btw, I don’t know if your classmates can actually judge what’s a good LoR.</p>

<p>some of the stuff they said were kind of disturbing</p>

<p>for example the entire letter of recommendation letter was pretty standard and when the name was mentioned it was in a different font so obviously the format is the same for every student just the name is changed every time…shrug</p>

<p>^ It happens. Sometimes, the GC will take over and add what your sci teacher neglected to include. Eg, based on conversations with your math and other sci teachers, he/she might note your involvement in math/sci clubs and competitions, your rep as an engaged, determined science student, etc. Sometimes, this is a case where you add a 3rd letter- maybe from a math teacher. Talk to the GC. Good luck.</p>