Letters of recommendation

Applying to College
1

First, I know that it’s really late to still be thinking about this. I’ve only asked a teacher for a humanities recommendation letter so far (the advisor to the school newspaper; I expect a very good letter). But I’ve been completely unable to come up with a second teacher to ask. The main reason for this is that although I’m a straight A student, I’m not really an attentive student. I rarely answer questions in class, rarely ever talk to teachers, etc.

The thing is, I’m interested in STEM (still undecided about what specific field) and I would be completely miserable studying anything humanities in university. But I’ve been essentially invisible and sometimes even obviously unattentive in front of my STEM teachers. I worry that my teachers can’t say anything about me beyond “existed in class” and “got an A.” And my application isn’t exactly strong when it comes to STEM. I’m have an 800 on SAT Math II and a 5 on AP Biology, but that’s the only AP science I’ve taken before the three this year. I haven’t done any research or internships and I’m only a member in one science related club.

I’m stuck. I don’t have any other teachers to ask for a second strong letter of recommendation and I’ve used up my lines of support (two school counselors) who basically said “it’s up to you”. These are all the options I can think of.

  • My precalculus teacher from last year. I know that she writes very strong letters of recommendation. But I was mostly invisible in class and fell asleep a few times in the front row. My counslor recommended talking to her and having an honest conversation about whether she can write me a decent letter, but I worry that if she agrees, I'd be making a mistake, so I haven't asked.
  • A non-STEM teacher, my APUSH teacher from sophomore year. She often chose my in-class essays to be uploaded and read to the class as examples, and I've talked to her with other students a few times last year and this year.
  • My current AP Chemistry teacher. He's the advisor to a science club I'm in, but I'm only a member and didn't talk much to him. I'm more active in his class than I was in precalc, but we've also barely started up the content and (if it matters at all) his teaching is generally lazy.
  • My current AP Calculus teacher. Again, I'm more attentive, but it's only been a month and a half.
  • My other STEM teachers are basically out of the question.

I know this dilemma is entirely self-created and I regret a lot. I know there’s no good solution to this and I won’t come out of it with a strong letter, but I’d really appreciate some points of view so I can consider, make a “lesser of many evils” choice, and move ahead. Thanks in advance.

2

Your biggest mistake is not asking anyone.

The reality is that, no matter who you ask, they’re going to have to do the best they can with a letter for someone who admittedly isn’t a strong student. As I’m sure you realize, the grades aren’t nearly as important as things like staying awake in class and participating… and those are not your strenghts.

Trust your counselor. Go with your Precalc teacher. the fact that she writes strong letters may mean she’ll put the best possible spin on a bad situation, while still being truthful.

At this point I think it’s the best you can do.

3

Pick whichever teacher you feel would be best and ask if he/she would be willing to “write a positive letter of recommendation” for you for college.

4

Have you checked to make sure that any of the schools you are applying to require 2 teacher recommendations?

5

A journalism teacher isn’t great for a top college. They want core academic teachers. But it isn’t clear what colleges you are looking at. I’d probably go with the APUSH teacher for humanities, even tomhough otvos soph year.

Then I’d talk to your precalc teacher. If she can’t write a good rec, then I’d move on to the chem teacher.