<p>I know on the common app it says that the rec should be from a teacher in an academic subject, but i really want to have my debate coach and vice principal of 3 years write one of my recs. Will Pomona frown upon me doing this?</p>
<p>Yes. Pomona is really quite strict about what count and what do not count as academic subjects (journalism, for instance, is not considered an academic subject in admissions). Also, they want you to have the two teacher recs come from two DIFFERENT subjects. What I would suggest is that you get the two teacher recs from different subjects, but also have your debate coach/VP write you a rec that you will subject as a third (optional) recommendation. Good luck!</p>
<p>Pomona can be strict - but if you give them good reason they can be fine. I got in ED, and sent in five recs. It should be noted that I had good reason for those recs though - I had an overall letter form my counselor, and letter about me in the classroom from a current teacher, a letter about how I talked to my teacher a lot outside of the classroom from a junior year teacher, a letter from a freshman science teacher who I then was on a science team with for three years, and a letter form the man who taught me everything I know about film making. Because the letters were each really different, and I submitted the extras with a very short cover letter basically saying: "look I know this is more than you wanted, but my application isn't complete without them" I think the five recs helped me get in.</p>