<p>Hi! I am trying to decide which teachers I want to ask for my letters of recommendation, and I was wondering if it would be better to have one rec from a humanities teacher and the other from a math/science teacher. I would rather use two science teachers... Do colleges have a preference of what teachers the recommendations are from? Thanks!</p>
<p>As long as you have 1 science/math I think you’re ok. I wouldn’t over think it. What will matter is which teacher will get-it-done (and of course say nice things)</p>
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<p>Some do, but most don’t, as long as the teacher has taught you in an academic subject (usually construed to mean English, math, science, social studies or foreign language).</p>
<p>It’s better if they are from two different areas among the four cores. (Foreign language is debatable, unless you’re going into that area.) Some say split the two among math/science and English/SS, but as long as it’s two of the four, and they are good rec writers, you’ll be okay. Two from one core is not as strong as it could be, so it’s frowned upon.</p>
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<p>Here’s a sampling of some colleges and universities that don’t have a problem with a letter from a foreign language teacher.</p>
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<p>[Teacher</a> Evaluations : Stanford University](<a href=“Page Not Found : Stanford University”>Page Not Found : Stanford University)</p>
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[Teacher</a> Evaluations - Penn Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/apply/freshman-admission/teacher-evaluations]Teacher”>http://www.admissions.upenn.edu/apply/freshman-admission/teacher-evaluations)</p>
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[Letters</a> of Recommendation | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/freshman/recommendations]Letters”>Letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions)</p>
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[Tufts</a> University Admissions Department](<a href=“http://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/first-year-students/]Tufts”>First Year Students | Tufts Admissions)</p>
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[url=<a href=“http://www.haverford.edu/admission/applying/application_checklist.php]Application”>http://www.haverford.edu/admission/applying/application_checklist.php]Application</a> Checklist - Office of Admission<a href=“Haverford”>/url</a></p>
<p>I don’t think foreign language is that debatable. YMMV.</p>
<p>^ Very good info.
I have seen several times people suggesting one teacher from certain area and another from a different area, or teacher(s) from junior year. That should not be taken as golden rule. It is all up to the schools’ requirement. Most important is to pick the teacher(s) that knows more about you and can write you a good recommendation. Otherwise, you are restricting yourself unnecessarily from getting good recommendations.</p>
<p>If the schools specifically allow foreign language teachers, then I stand corrected. But check your specific school’s requirements, someone always throws a curveball.</p>
<p>As for the two teachers, two different subjects, junior year, yes, that’s the general rule and the safest course, but it can be broken, you just have to be careful how. If you’re going outside that guideline, check with someone who knows. No sense getting dinged for something you could have avoided. Don’t make admissions think too hard by being difficult.</p>
<p>A lot of colleges just say “academic courses” without specifying disciplines. </p>
<p>Every college I have seen that does specify disciplines includes foreign language. In other words, I have not seen any college or university list subject areas but omit foreign language. That doesn’t mean it never happens, of course, but I have never seen it.</p>
<p>Most of the schools my D is applying only exclude electives like art/PE for teacher recommenders but no specific requirement on the subject or school year otherwise. There is only one said 2 from 2 of the 5 subject areas including foreign language. Note that Stanford said you may invite a 10th grade teacher for recommendation if it is from an advanced course such as honors or AP.</p>
<p>My junior year I had two science teachers, and I wanted to submit a rec from the both of them. I also have one of the same teachers again this year (I have had that teacher 3 years now for 3 different sciences). Would it be bad if I submitted two science teacher recs or should I submit an English teacher and a science teacher?</p>