<p>Do colleges prefer to see recommendation letters written by teachers in a class that you plan on majoring in?</p>
<p>For example, I want to major in Biology, but I was thinking of asking my APUSH teacher for a letter of recommendation because I've had her for two years in class and tennis. Is it better for me to get one from a science teacher?</p>
<p>Also, I was thinking of getting one from my orchestra conductor in an orchestra that I do out of school. It's pretty competitive and I really enjoy it AND he's one of my favorite people ever...haha. So I wanted to get one from him, but my guidance counselor said it would be better to get them from teachers. So what are peoples thoughts on that?</p>
<p>thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>UVa only requires LOR’s from your GC and one teacher. The teacher is up to you. With the exception of applying to CAS, SEAS, ARCH, and NURS, you don’t actually declare a major when you apply. If your intended major is biology that’s CAS, I wouldn’t worry about sending a science teacher LOR if you feel your APUSH teacher LOR is going to be the stronger one. I wouldn’t over think this. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Okay 
thanks! So is it not good to send extra letters?</p>
<p>Many schools ask for the GC and two teachers so students usually have requested three total. In the even that all end up at UVa it’s not going to be a major problem IMO, as was the case with another poster. However I would not send more then what is requested on purpose. You have a limited amount of time for a reader to look at your application. If they end up seeing two teacher LORs instead of one they may read only one, read one and scan the other or read both (this is hypothetical, I really don’t know). Personally, I’d want to be in control of sending the strongest one and knowing that is the one that is being read. If they take time to read both teacher LORs, that is time taken from other aspects of your application they could be focusing on. Please understand this is just my opinion, nothing more. Again, best of luck.</p>
<p>Thanks again yeah it looks like I have to put a lot more thought into it. I can’t decide who to ask! But I see what you’re saying with not sending more than is recommended.</p>