Letters of Recommendation

Applying to College
1

I’ve been wondering which teachers I should ask for letters of recommendation. I have three good options, and I’m conflicted between two of them. I’m definitely asking my AP Physics C teacher who I’ve had two years in a row. The two I’m not sure about are my chemistry teacher and my AP Lang teacher.

I know you’re supposed to have one STEM and one humanities teacher but I think my chemistry teacher would have much better things to say about me. Would I be better off just asking the English teacher because I already have one science, or the chemistry teacher who would rave about my performance in her class? Also, is it possible to ask all 3? I’m not sure how many schools will even take that many/if it would even help at that point.

If it helps, I want to be an electrical engineer and I’m applying to schools such as Northeastern, RPI, Lehigh, etc.

2

Definitely ask the chem teacher. For me this is a no brainer.

3

Chem. Ideally your English teacher would have the same things to say about you, but since that’s not the case, chem is your strongest option.

4

It’s less important who the rec comes from and more important what it says about you. Go with the Chem teacher unless any of the schools you plan to apply to require recs from two different disciplines.

5

“I know you’re supposed to have one STEM and one humanities teacher…”

Note that this is only true at a very few schools. The vast majority would prefer you choose recommenders who can write knowledgably about your unique qualities and enthusiasms, something beyond simply sayong you’re a good student.

6

Check the website of each college to make sure they don’t specify before deciding for sure.