<p>So I have a dilemma for letters of recommendation (sorry for the long post). Next year when i apply ED, I would like to apply to NU. I have some (hopefully) killer recommendations lined up, but I don't know which ones to pick. The ones I know I am having are from my GC, my philanthropy club sponsor (who happened to attend NU), and my martial arts instructor (also coincidentally a professor at NU). The problem comes with the teachers. I will list pros and cons of each teacher: One is my econ teacher. Pros: the teacher of what i want to major in (econ), teaching me an independent study on his own time, very well-spoken individual who would probly put in a great word for me. Cons: for the top 10%,top 5% list, I do not think he will put the most exceptional thing possible, because while I did fine in his class, I didn't receive an A both semesters or anything list that. The next one is my English teacher. Pros: NU alum, really likes that I am one of the few in the class that reads/particpates. Cons: it's a regular, non-honors class, and while I had a 97.5% first quarter, I now have an 89% second quarter, so I do not know what he would say about me in terms of being academically the best he's seen. The last person is my foreign language teacher: Pros: as of now getting a great grade in her class (94-95 both quarters), she personally wrote me a heartwarming thank-you note for a 5 dollar gift card I gave her over the holidays, she has always been kind to me, and I think she deducts less from my work when it is late than some other students. Cons: No relation to NU to say in the rec that I would be a good fit there. Do I send ALL SIX letters, and if not, which teacher do I eliminate? At this point my priority list is 1.econ 2. english by a hare due to the NU connection and 3. SpanishThank you all!</p>
<p>I would probably eliminate one of the non-teacher recommendations, and submit only two teacher recommendations. Any more seems like it would be pushing the reader’s patience, and with loads and loads of qualified applicants, you don’t want to give the slightest bad impression like that. Remember, Northwestern requires ONE counselor rec, and ONE teacher rec. Having more than two additional ones would be stretching it.</p>
<p>TL/DR: You’re pushing it.</p>
<p>Ok, but the real question is, which teacher do I eliminate based on the description that I gave?</p>
<p>If you submit through Common App, the same rec goes to all the schools you apply to. I’d suggest asking the first teacher and the third teacher, and like the previous poster said, only ask one of your EC advisors.</p>
<p>I would definitely include the econ teacher, because it seems as if he could attest to your character and work ethic better than any of the other teachers. I would also include the English teacher, as she could provide a different perspective in that she went to NU and could specifically describe how you would mesh there, as you said. I agree with awang20, non-teacher recs should definitely be the first to be eliminated. I included a counselor rec and two teacher recs. One my of teacher recs was generic and the other was exceptional, and I was accepted. Good luck and ultimately go with what feels right to you.</p>
<p>I am leaning toward the econ/english combo as well, along with the GC (of course) and the martial arts instructor. Is there any reason why you liked the spanish teacher more, OrangeDinosaur? Also, I think I will send some letters specifically to NU so that they can be personalized to the school, to show I care, and to have the teachers write a better suited rec. Idk if this is allowed, but I have heard that it is. tstoim, did you do well in school? (lol)</p>
<p>I don’t think it matters that much if a teacher is an NU alum.
It’s a teacher rec they’re looking for, not an alum rec.</p>
<p>yes, but the teacher himself knows me well and is a great person. Plus, if u look at the NU website, alumni relations is considered. They want to hear from the people that went to their school. I understand that itd be wrong if I was just getting the rec because he is an alum, but I only found out that he was one AFTER i was already considering it.</p>
<p>Admissions primary concern is your academic history. I wouldn’t send in any more than 3 recommendations as that is “pushing it”. The third one should show something different than the first two.</p>
<p>Which teacher do I eliminate based on my description?</p>
<p>Hmmmm…only you know which teacher knows you the best and that sounds like the econ teacher. I think you should go with the teachers who you can trust to know you the best and that will share personal qualities which might supercede concern about your grade in the class. We can’t really appreciate the nuances of your relationships with the teachers. I would focus on that rather than what your grade was in the class. Does that make sense?</p>
<p>Northwestern only accepts 3 non-counselor Recs. I would absolutely have both of the teachers, and choose only one of the non-teachers.
Pick people that really know who you are, and can speak to your true self. I actually had a B for a Semester of my one rec teacher’s class, but we have an awesome relationship and she actually /knew/ me. My other rec was from a teacher and she also knew me through ECs and we had a mutual respect of one another.
Basically, I know you’re set on these people, but truly think about how you want to present yourself to NU. Then make your decision.</p>
<p>Well I know I will make the choice from these people, I am just at a toss-up over the English teacher and the Spanish one. I am pretty sure I will use the Econ one, because that is my major, even if I didn’t do fabulous in the class.</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>^^ Just curious. Where does the web site say thay “alumni relations [are] considered” vis-a-vis recommendations? Usually a school’s interest in “alumni relations” is literally in a family relationship - i.e., a legacy applicant.</p>