<p>When I visited and attended the info session at Columbia last month, they specifically mentioned they wanted two letters of recommendation from academic teachers. While I am a very good student, I feel strongly that the mentors and advisors who work with me in my extra-curriculars know me far better and will be able to write a more valid letter of recommendation. </p>
<p>Has anyone had an experience of submitting letter of recommendation that weren't from academic teachers?</p>
<p>I think a good compromise would be one form my guidance counselor and one from my EC advisor....but I wouldn't want to invalidate my application because of that...(I won't be applying until fall anyway but this is bothering me!)</p>
<p>You should still have two academic teachers send letters of recommendation, but you can do what I did and have a mentor/advisor write a supplemental letter.</p>
<p>You need to have two teachers. That’s just a rule (although they will consider your app complete with just one). On top of that, send in a rec from one (or both) of your mentors. Do note that additional recs should really only be sent if they tell stuff about you that cannot be found anywhere else in the application.</p>
<p>I want to major in drama/theater arts and have taken drama as an actual class for the past three years and will take it again as a senior. There are different levels, so it’s not like I am taking the same class each year, but it’s all the same teacher. Does he count as an academic teacher even though he does not teach a core subject? I’d like to get a letter of rec from him, but should I also ask two core academic teachers in addition or just one? Thanks!</p>