Is a recommendation from an elective teacher good enough?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>My son is trying to decide which teachers he can ask recommendation letters for Common Application. One should be from a Math/Science teacher and the other from a Literature/Humanities teacher. Since my son got perfect scores from his ACT Math, SAT Math II and AP Calculus, one of the recommendations will be from his Math teacher for sure.</p>

<p>However, my son's literature and humanity scores are not as outstanding as his Math/Science (low ACT reading and low SAT II History w/ unweighted GPA 4.0). Since he has been very active in the school band for more than 3 years, he is thinking to ask his music teacher to do the 2nd recommendation. His music teacher knows my son very well (my son is in leadership and works very closely with his teacher) and likes my son's performance very much.</p>

<p>When I asked the school's counselor about the selection of teacher, the counselor said that the recommendation are better from the teachers of core classes, instead of electives like music, but I heard that we should find the teachers know you best. My son wants to major in Computer Science.</p>

<p>Any suggestions from your experience? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Bump…</p>

3

<p>The common app requires 2 recommendations from academic teachers, but they can both be from math or science teachers, I believe. A elective teacher wouldn’t fit the requirement. Since he’s hoping to major in CS, two recs from math/science teachers could actually benefit him. He can include a letter from his music teacher as an extra third recommendation, if he wants to.</p>

4

<p>I would guess she’s talking about MIT’s app, which does require 1 humanities 1 math/science. I have the same problem, I do fine in english classes but my teacher doesn’t really know me. Try emailing MIT admissions and asking, good luck!</p>

5

<p>Thank you for your suggestions! It makes sense to have one from Math teacher and the other from a science teacher.</p>