<p>Just a quick question. If a college requires, say 1math/science AND 1 humanities recommendation letter and RECOMMENDS a letter from a coach/administrator/someone who knows you in a different light,
can I submit 1 math, 1 science, 1 humanities, and 1 coach letter?
I've read that the more letters you send in, the less valuable they become.
Thanks for any insight!</p>
<p>Each letter of recommendation should add another dimension to your file. Colleges ask for a humanities/english recommendation because they want to learn about your writing skills. Similarly, they ask for one math/science rec because they want to know about your analytical and critical thinking skills. If you send in 2 letters of rec – one from a math teacher and one from a science teacher – both of those recs will probably speak to the same qualities and say the same thing, which “waters down” the positive comments from your teachers. It’s best to follow directions and go with the 2 required recommendations and the one additional rec from a person that knows you in a different light.</p>
<p>Thanks, gibby!
The next problem I’m having is the possibility of giving only a math and science rec (questbridge) as opposed to a humanities and math/science. Would that work, not having a humanities and a more math/science oriented recommendation profile?
Also, for the Common App, could I switch off math/science teachers for each college I’m applying to? I really want both of them to write me recommendation letters.</p>
<p>PS. for caltech, specifically, would a math, science, humanities, and other person letter do well versus a math/science, humanities, and other person because Caltech is all about math/science?</p>
<p>You should follow Caltech directions. And . . being that Caltech is as Math-Sciencey as you can get, I would NOT submit two Math/Science recommendations for any college!</p>
<p>[Freshman</a> Applicants - Caltech Caltech Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.caltech.edu/applying/freshman]Freshman”>http://admissions.caltech.edu/applying/freshman)</p>
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<p>Only send what is asked for or it will seem that you are not confident and/or that you are so arrogant you expect the admissions officer (who is tired of reading all winter) to read more about you.</p>
<p>@jestjest: You need to find a Humanities/English/Social Sciences teacher that will write you a strong recommendation, as colleges want to hear about your reading and writing skills. </p>
<p>If you don’t submit a Humanities/English/Social Sciences recommendation you will: (1) be non-compliant with directions, and more importantly (2) come off as a Math/Science robotic nerd who cannot put a sentence together. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students, which is why they ask for recommendations from different departments – that’s true for even Math Sciencey schools like Caltech and MIT.</p>
<p>Should I choose the math teacher, who I’ve had for precalc honors and AP calc ab, getting all A+ on tests except for a few -1’s, and the first to get a perfect on an AP mock exam (both MC and FRQ) in her class, AND was a teacher aide for her, helping her immensely in grading and finding errors (her husband is a Caltech alumnus)</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>the science teacher (physics and chem) who is probably the most experienced in college admissions (UCLA former college admission officer, UCLA grad, Chem MD), teaches AP Physics, and inspires me to major in Applied Physics?
-Was 1st in his class (peers and upperclassmen) but didn’t get A+ on tests, only relatively #1.-</p>
<p>I would love to have both of them, but the general consensus is only one…</p>
<p>You only need one, so get over the idea that it would be beneficial to have both these teachers write a letter. You have been given clear reasons above why that would not be so and would even be detrimental. It is not about the teachers background, it is about you and their experience with you as a student. The first one is the winner to me, but either would be more than fine. </p>
<p>Now get that humanities/English teacher lined up. And since Caltech recommends a third letter from someone who brings a DIFFERENT perspecive, a coach is a great pic. Don’t send the 3rd letter to schools who don’t encourage it, though.</p>
<p>I have a different perspective and am not comfortable with any CC “consensus.” We often get an additional letter when only two are required. The goal is to get information relevant to the reviewers. OP may very well be in a position where the math and sci teachers can each add dimension. This needs to be a careful decision. And, a personal one.</p>
<p>If Caltech is the only school asking for a mentor rec, I wouldn’t send those to the other colleges. If they ask for humanities, of course you supply that. If any school has a limit, you respect that.</p>
<p>You want recs that discuss inquisitiveness and thinking skills, determination and resiliance, balance, teamwork (if it applies,) and peer respect, etc. Warm letters convey more than those that feel like formula. Ideally, it’s info relevant to the reviewers. Many teachers will say the kid is great- then the only example is he bounds into class with a smile, always takes notes- and then a veer off into a listing of ECs. You want substance.</p>