Letter of Recommendation Dilemma

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Hi</p>

<p>My name is John, and I am planning on applying to Harvard and some other Ivies/top tier schools regular decision. However, I just noticed that Harvard, and for example, Princeton, ask for letters of recommendation from teachers in different subject areas. </p>

<p>I have received two amazing letters of recommendations from two of my English teachers. One of them teaches AP Lang, the other Journalism. I've known both all four years of high school, and they wrote very personal and excellent letters. </p>

<p>I didn't ask any of my other teachers for LoR. </p>

<p>Should I email one of my other teachers for a letter? Our winter break has started, and it's the holiday season; the last thing I'd want to do as a teacher is write a letter of recommendation now, especially since it has be rushed and turned in before January 1.</p>

<p>Will it be that big of a deal if I just submit two letters from teachers from the same core subject? I think my transcript shows my strengths in math and science. </p>

2

<p>IMHO, at this point, I wouldn’t bother your teachers for another rec. I would wait until school resumes and, assuming an additional rec can add something significant to your file, I would ask a teacher when in January </p>

3

<p>I did the exact same thing as you, and got in. I had an awesome English teacher who loved me and knew me throughout high school, and another awesome Journalism teacher who also loved me and knew me forever. I considered varying the subject areas, but the most important thing with LoRs is having a teacher who seriously knows you and has a lot to say about you. I feel like your journalism teacher could add more to the table than a rec from a math teacher. So I would keep it as is.</p>

<p>Consider using the supplemental rec for coaches, mentors, etc. I really think that played a big role in my app. </p>

4

<p>^^ Harvard DOES NOT require recommendations to come from teachers in different subject areas:
<a href=“Frequently Asked Questions | Harvard”>https://college.harvard.edu/frequently-asked-questions&lt;/a&gt;

Princeton DOES ask for recommendations from different academic areas: <a href=“http://admission.princeton.edu/applyingforadmission/application-checklist”>http://admission.princeton.edu/applyingforadmission/application-checklist&lt;/a&gt;

@nababz: You should contact another teacher and have them submit an additional rec to Princeton. FWIW: Colleges like Princeton pay attention to things like this, as it’s an indication of a student being able to follow directions.</p>