Most schools ask for 2 or 3. My question is should my son use his band teacher for 4 years and his football coach for 4 years ( both wrote outstanding letters) or should 1 of those be an actual academic teacher ?
Thks
Unless the college specifies otherwise, both should be from academic teachers. If the college allows supplemental recommendations, he can use one (and generally no more than one) for that if, and this is a big if, the supplemental essay will provide additional insight over and above what the teachers’ recs say. If the supplemental rec simply regurgitates info, it will add little to no value.
Agreed, the recommendations schools typically want are from academic teachers but it does vary a bit school to school. Just read the instructions for each school carefully to be sure you meet the requirements before submitting recommendations. At the very least I’d get one academic teacher to write a LOR. A band teacher or football coach could be a nice supplemental letter if it tells something about your S that is not covered in the academic teacher recommendations. Most people suggest sending no more than one supplemental recommendation but that is your call.
Thanks!