<p>I'm planning on applying to Cornell next year, and I've given some thought as to the teachers who I want to write letters of recommendation. I've already settled on one English teacher, but I'm torn for the second teacher. I can either get a rec from a sophomore year AP Stats teacher (which would be exemplary), or I could get it from my current AP Chem teacher (which would probably only be decent). My question is, would it put me at a disadvantage if I had a recommendation from a teacher I had in Sophomore year? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think colleges prefer recommendations from teachers who have taught you recently. Are you really sure that your stats teacher would write a better letter? Sometimes you can be surprised. </p>
<p>Of course a better (enthusiastic and detailed) letter is better for admissions. Personally I wouldn’t take the risk of having a “decent” letter sent when I know that I could have a better one. Talk to your teachers. What are their initial reactions when you ask them?</p>