<p>After reading that it is "pretty standard among selective institutions" to "like to hear from a math/science as well as a humanities/social science teacher" in recommendation letters on a UChicago blog, I have some questions.
1. I have good personal relationships with all 3 of my teachers who are writing letters for me. I'm also involved in the math club, which my math teacher heads, and the swim team, which my English teacher heads. My math teacher taught me in Trigonometry / Analytic Geometry (freshman year) and BC Calculus junior year. My physics teacher taught me in AP C Physics junior year. In all 3 of the math/science classes, I was with mostly students a year older than me, and I did very well in those classes. My English teacher taught me Film Lit (semester elective) junior year and is currently teaching me in English Masters Honors senior year. I've done reasonably well in both of these classes 2 (A's, but not that solidly and with a good deal of effort in English H). Should I submit 2 or 3 letters in this case?</p>
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<li>Would you say the UChicago blogger is actually accurate here?</li>
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<p>According to Cornell’s Admissions Blog, additional letters of rec won’t negatively impact your chances: [Application</a> Questions and Answers | Undergraduate Admissions Office](<a href=“http://blogs.cornell.edu/admissions/2011/10/31/application-questions-and-answers/]Application”>http://blogs.cornell.edu/admissions/2011/10/31/application-questions-and-answers/)</p>
<p>There is a section on the Common App titled “Additional Information” (it comes immediately after the Personal Essay). In this section, you can upload additional docs that you’d like Admissions to consider.</p>
<p>You can always post your question on the latest section of the Admissions Blog and get direct feedback (before they go on vacation): [Regular</a> Decision Deadline ? 11:59 p.m. or 12:00 a.m.? | Undergraduate Admissions Office](<a href=“http://blogs.cornell.edu/admissions/2011/12/16/regular-decision-deadline-–-1159-p-m-or-1200-a-m/]Regular”>http://blogs.cornell.edu/admissions/2011/12/16/regular-decision-deadline-–-1159-p-m-or-1200-a-m/)</p>
<p>Hmm, but what about if my teacher doesn’t want me to see my letter of rec/Cornell doesn’t want me to see it to ensure it’s from the teacher?</p>
<p>Cornell only requires two letters be sent directly from your teachers (they can either upload them via the Common App or mail them in). This is how Cornell knows they’ve come directly from your teachers. Anything you submit in addition to this is obviously something you’ll be submitting yourself (unless your guidance counselor uploads the additional letter with his/her report). Cornell doesn’t have any requirements regarding you seeing the letters or not seeing the letters. That is strictly up to you - there’s a section on the Common App where you’ll either agree to never seeing them or not (conventional wisdom seems to dictate waiving your right to see the letters).</p>