<p>I am applying to college in the fall. The schools to which I am applying require only two recommendations generally, not one STEM and one humanities. The two teachers who I think know me the best are the teachers of my Ancient Greek class and my AP English Lit class, and I happened to get A's in both of these classes. I have read that colleges don't like to get recs from teachers if you've done well in their classes, but that they would prefer to hear from teachers whose classes you may have struggled in. The teachers of the classes that I did kind of struggle in, though, know me kind of well academically, but not very well outside of the classroom - I genuinely think that my Greek and English teachers know me the best, despite the grade I got in their courses. Do you think it's okay for me to ask them for recs, or would adcoms think I just asked the teachers of whichever two classes I did well in, not the ones that knew me best?</p>
<p>I hope this makes sense, haha. Thanks! :)</p>
<p>You are fine asking those teachers. Colleges don’t necessarily prefer to see a lette of rec from a class you struggled in. They just want to see that you have taken initiatives regarding your education and that can be shown in a class where you got an A+</p>
<p>@AnnieBeats Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>Did you take both of those classes as a junior? The one thing colleges hate is a student who has to reach back to freshman or sophomore year for a recommendation. It’s even better if you will still be in a class with either or both teachers next year. It’s best to use teachers who know and respect you, and can comment with depth and specificity.</p>
<p>@woogzmama I took both classes as a senior (I’m applying to college during my gap year, so I can’t really ask for recs from current teachers), and my English teacher also taught two of my classes in my sophomore year. I totally understand about not reaching back too far for recs. I’m actually employed as a full-time faculty member at the high school I graduated from, so I may ask for an employer recommendation (my employer is the head of school who also knows me quite well). Thanks for your suggestions!</p>