<p>hey guys, was just wondering, how long do the 2 letter of recommendations have to be around does it have to be in a related subject to our intended course or can we choose?? for example for wharton, do i have to give in a letter of rec from my econ teacher or can i give one from my music and english teachers?</p>
<p>It matters less about what subject they teach and has more to do with how well they know you. Pick teachers that you have the best relationship with AND will be willing to write you a great recommendation; those 2 don’t always coincide.</p>
<p>It’s important to choose teachers with whom you have a good relationship and know you well. It can be a good idea to get one recommendation from a math/science teacher and another from a english/social studies teacher, this is what I did. It’s important that you express your gratitude to your teachers for taking the time to write you letters and help facilitate the process, giving them all of the information they need early in the year, addressing envelopes for them to use for each of your schools. However, don’t ask a teacher who you have doubts about (not just in regards to your relationship, but with regards to their general character). I know of a few kids in my grade who asked one of my teachers to write them a recommendation. In a few instances, the letters were supposed to go to Michigan, and because the letters did not arrive on time, a of the few kids were no longer considered under early response. I have also heard students talk about the fear that one of their teachers sabotaged their letter. While I personally think it is very unlikely a teacher would do that, it is better to choose teachers whom you have no unresolved questions about. It does not always have to be the teacher of a class that you had the most skill in. If you struggled in a class, but still made a lot of progress and developed a good relationship with the teacher, it still says a lot about you as a person.</p>
<p>ahh ok thats good, and how does the process work exactly, do they have to mail it straight to them (im an international), do i submit it somehow as part of my app, do i get to read it first…? thanks by the way :D</p>
<p>They send the letters either by themselves or through your school. On the common app most people forfeit their rights to see their letters of recommendation. You don’t absolutely have to do this, but it will probably make the teacher feel more comfortable to know that you trust them. Most teachers who are willing to write you a letter will try their hardest to represent you in your best light (they take a lot of time to do this), so if you truly know and respect your teacher, trust what they will say.</p>
<p>ah kk, yeh it should be fine, ive talked to the teacher briefly about it. One question they had, how long does each rec have to be? also ive asked them if they could do it this term (which they said they can) as i figured its one less thing to worry about come september. also, this way i am still at school and therefore they will write a more personal response than if i were to ask after them after summer holidays. what do you think?</p>
<p>bump.
how long does each rec have to be?</p>
<p>Some schools will require letters from certain subjects. Penn doesn’t I believe but keep that in mind if you’re applying to schools that do. MIT I remember requires one math/science and one humanities.</p>
<p>I don’t think length matters…</p>
<p>No, the length doesn’t matter, it’s how you use it.</p>
<p>^Very nice.</p>