<p>I'm sure a few thousand of threads like this have been posted, but I didn't see one, so I thought that I'd start my own.</p>
<p>I'm having somewhat of a dilemma over what teacher to ask for a recommendation.</p>
<p>Currently, I have one from my APUSH teacher who knows me well, and whose class I did amazingly in (high A's, 5). I am getting one from each coach for my primary extracurricular activity, but neither of them had me in a classroom setting. The reason that both of them are doing it is because I asked one of them, and the other volunteered to write one for me. </p>
<p>Now, I need one more, and I'm torn over who to ask. I have one of two choices.</p>
<p>I could ask my sophomore year AP Euro teacher, who knows me well, whose class I did really well in (high A's, 5), and who was one of my favorite teachers and taught one of my favorite classes. I could also ask my junior year AP Lang teacher, who doesn't know me that well, whose class I did pretty well in (low A's, 4), and who taught a class that I didn't participate much in. </p>
<p>The reason I am asking is because I heard it was better to ask for recommendations from junior year teachers. While the rec from the junior year teacher would be pretty good, the rec from the sophomore year teacher would be a lot better. </p>
<p>In your opinion, which teacher would be better to ask?</p>
<p>This is too many letters. You want one from a math/science area and one from a english/language/history type area. Your GC will do one so that is 3. You would only need another for something exceptional.</p>
<p>Yes it is better to have a Jr teacher, but it is also better to have one from a teacher who knows you will and will write the better letter. Your choice. Either is fine. No clear winner.</p>
<p>Would a rec from a foreign language teacher work?</p>
<p>Asking two history teachers is not the best idea even if you intend on majoring in history. If you really feel like there’s something that one history teacher is going to put across about you that the other can’t, then you should go ahead and ask two history teachers, but if they’re both going to describe you in similar ways, then variety is best.</p>
<p>When you ask a teacher that you may not have known very well, preface your request by asking whether he thinks he could write a good letter of recommendation for you. Most teachers will be honest on their responses.</p>
<p>As between these two, choose the teacher who taught you junior year. If you choose the sophomore year teacher, it sends the message that you peaked sophomore year. Ideally, your recommendations should be from teachers in your most challenging classes, not your sophomore year classes. But, if instead you could get a recommendation from a junior year math or science teacher (if you took AP or honors), that would be even better. Some schools will actually require recs from two divergent disciplines, so be sure to look into what exactly is required for each of your applications.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks to the three of you. This has helped a lot. I also take it that I should shy away from asking another humanities rec, such as from my English teacher. If I could burden you for more advice, I think this leaves me with a few options.</p>
<p>I could ask my current AP French teacher, who also taught me sophomore year. I know her incredibly well, and have shown an interest in the subject. </p>
<p>I also could ask my Junior year Pre-Calc teacher, who would probably write a good letter. I struggled a bit in that class, before getting my act together and scoring A’s both semesters. I know that she thought I was a good student, but I didn’t know her too well. </p>
<p>And I think my last option is my current AP Physics teacher. He was briefly my scholastic bowl coach when I was bumped up to varsity as a sophomore (unheard of at my school), and I’m doing well in his class now. </p>
<p>Of those options, which would be the best idea?</p>
<p>I need more advice. Bump!</p>
<p>I think your pre-calc teacher or your French teacher. When I was in your situation, I went with my French teacher who I had Freshman and Sophomore years, and will have Senior year. I just asked the teachers I thought knew me best. </p>
<p>Regarding sophomore year teachers: I did ask a sophomore teacher for a recommendation because I felt I didn’t know my junior year teachers very well. My school is large so I find it hard to build relationships with teachers. Also, we have different teachers each semester which makes it even harder to build relationships. It’s the luck of the draw whether we have the same teacher for both semesters any year. There are only 2 French teachers at my school though, so I was able to to ask my French teacher. Good luck asking for recommendations!</p>
<p>Okay, thanks.</p>
<p>As I’ve been thinking about it more and more, it seems like I should go with my french teacher. If it means anything, I intend to study abroad in college. Would that be a reason to go with my french teacher?</p>
<p>I disagree with the French teacher idea. You need one math/science teacher to go with your humanites APUSH.
From what you’ve written, I’d choose the AP Physics teacher or the Pre Calc teacher. Which one do you think would write the best letter? Go with that one.</p>
<p>My brother got a recommendation from his gov teacher and Spanish teacher. He’s studying business. If you’re undecided or something, it might be better to get two completely different types of subject, but I think as long as you don’t get two history teachers or two science teachers, your fine. You can ask a history and foreign language teacher or you could ask a math and a science teacher. They’re still different subjects with different skillsets required.</p>
<p>Okay. Thank you both for your opinions.</p>
<p>I am planning to talk to my guidance counselor on Monday, so that I can get his opinion on what the proper course of action would be. I’ll ask whichever teacher by Tuesday at the latest.</p>
<p>If anyone cares, I did end up asking the Precalc teacher. I obviously won’t read the recommendation, but this feels like a good idea. I am made especially hopeful by the teachers reaction to me asking.</p>