<p>So I've been thinking about who to ask for my recs, and my cousin from Yale recommended I go for two core class teachers. However, I have connected best with my Orchestra teacher and my DECA adviser...</p>
<p>But looking at my options, I also had a pretty good connection with my Honors World Studies teacher last year (who I spent a week with for National History Day) and my AP Lit teacher this year, who drastically improved my writing and thinking. </p>
<p>I have also been thinking about another teacher, however. I had an Honors Biology teacher last year who has gotten mixed reviews, and have actually considered him. Almost no one likes him, but I found him quite a good person. But another thing also drew me to him: the fact that he's a Stanford alum. Stanford (like so many of us) just happens to be my dream school. Do you think I should ask him? I hardly talk to him (but then again he hardly talks to anyone) and don't know him too well, but feel like I've made a solid impression on him that I'm a good student. </p>
<p>Advice? Oh, and also, not only for what I should do, but tips in general for recs?</p>
<p>Choose two core teachers (I think Honors Bio teacher if you really care about getting into Stanford and AP Lit teacher because s/he has helped you a ton) and then submit either the orchestra teacher or your DECA adviser as supplemental. Adcoms will be annoyed at you if you submit four letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>i think you should go with the Orchestra teacher since he/she knows you best, and also the bio teacher since he provides a different perspective. 1 humanities teacher and 1 science teacher is probably the best.</p>
<p>Check the websites of the colleges to which you are applying. Many of them specifically state that they want recommendations from "core" teachers, and unless you're going for a music performance major, orchestra doesn't count.</p>
<p>For example, Stanford says in its instructions:
[quote]
Give the Teacher Evaluation to (a maximum of)
two teachers to submit by the appropriate deadline. Stanford
requests that you give these forms to teachers who have taught
you in grades 11 and/or 12 in two different subject areas from
among the following: English, mathematics, science, foreign
language, and history/ social studies.
[/quote]
So your orchestra teacher would not be able even to submit a "supplemental" recommendation, as such are not permitted.</p>
<p>However, Stanford also allows you to submit a music CD with a recommendation from your "private teacher . . . or mentor" using their Fine Arts form.</p>
<p>Other schools will have different policies and requirements.</p>
<p>Read the websites carefully and follow all instructions TO THE LETTER. That includes things like who to ask, what to send, and in which manner to send.</p>
<p>I'm going to do something similar: I'm going to get my ceramics teacher (who I've had for 3 years and know her personally) who I know will write a spectacular reccomendation. I'm also going to get my math teacher I don't really know him all that well but I perform well in his class and I know he will a nice letter. Use who you feel comfortable with.
Maybe for your Stanford App you should use the two core teacher and for other schools that are not as strict on who you get for letter, you could use your orchestra teacher.</p>
<p>I got my best recs from one core teacher and one non-core teacher. My ag teacher wrote outstanding recs for me because I took 4 years of classes with her, and she knew what I was like outside of class--field trips, national convention trips for 5 days at a time, weeklong trips to DC, and being an officer for 3 of the 4 years.</p>
<p>If any of your schools allow recs from non-core teachers, go for the orchestra teacher. If they don't, see if you can submit them as a supplemental but don't send one from the orchestra teacher if the school won't accept it.</p>
<p>I remember looking at Stanford's directions - they are stricter on the recommendation thing than some other schools - I sent... at least 4... to MIT, where I'm going next year, including two core teachers, my piano teacher and my unofficial math teacher, an MIT alum. So check with the schools...</p>
<p>Ditto what atrophicwhisper said. Get two good recs from core teachers and submit a supplementary letter from your orchestra conductor for an uneven three letters. Keep in mind that despite schools having alleged limits on the number of recommendations, they will always accept and read supplementary letters provided that they are from legitimate sources. That said, I would caution submitting more than four letters, as that borders on the ridiculous and surely does not add new material to the application.</p>
<p>My S wants to get his second recommendation letter from his music teacher. He had 3 years of music under her and it is one of his passions. He wants to do a double major in music and engineering where ever that is available. Those schools where that choice is not there would it still be considered as a valid recommendation to fulfil the 2 recommendations requirement</p>