Does anyone know if it’s better to have recommendations from one STEM and one humanities teacher compared to two recommendations from STEM teachers? Also, is it true that filling up all 10 activities on the Common App looks bad to adcoms?
This is just an opinion. I don’t see how it could hurt to include 10 activities. Just don’t plan on every one of those 10 activities making a big difference.
I see some CCers list a zillion ECs as though it is important to list every single thing they have done in high school. It understandably is important to them but to a neutral viewer it almost starts to get boring. All those ECs are fine but there needs to be one or possibly two accomplishments/experiences that separates you from the herd of applicants.
What about the LoRs then?
Letters of recommendation should come from the two people who will give you the BEST recommendation. If you believe that you can’t go wrong with either of your choices then get the recommendations from the areas that you are proposing to study in. Hence, if you want to be a STEM major in college, get LoR’s from STEM teachers in highschool, but only if they will do as good of a job as the humanities teachers would have done with your LoR.
As for the 10 activities question…
Colleges frown upon filling up that section when you are filling it with “fluff”. They are looking for depth. So they want to see teams, clubs, programs, service,and/or jobs that you have a passion for and have committed time and years to.
They are looking to see what you are passionate about, not every little thing you ever joined.
Good luck!