<p>Well, I've already asked 2 teachers and 1 physician (who I shadowed for a few weeks)... but haven't given them any information on where I will apply.</p>
<p>Should I only ask 1 of them + the doctor? all 3? or just 1 teacher?
Also, should I use the online method or the written method? To me, the written method will help me more since I am preparing a folder for each of my recommenders.
And if I do ask my doctor to write on for UNC, how should I send it in? Since he is not a teacher, should I give him the rec. form anyways - since there is an essay "prompt" that he will write about?</p>
<p>Since UNC only asks for one recommendation I would think that is all you should need - unless you feel that the extra rec will show them something about you or why you’re compatible with UNC that makes it worth adding.</p>
<p>I’m planning on submitting the standard one recommendation, from a history teacher. I was also thinking about contacting either a family member who went to UNC or my biology teacher who also went to UNC and asking that they write to the school on my behalf and to stress their familiarity with the school and with me, and that sort of thing. But I’m pretty sure I’ll save the adcom’s time and make it one rec only.</p>
<p>As for online vs. paper, I suppose that’s entirely up to you and it sounds like you would prefer the written method. In that case, go for it. Although most schools encourage online applications more and more these days, it’s your choice.</p>
<p>And in response to your last question, in my opinion, a teacher should give your primary rec, but if you still want the doctor to write a supplementary one, you could pass the directions along to him, as well. But again in my opinion, I don’t see it necessary for you to have two recs on the same prompt - the doctor should contribute something different.</p>
<p>I have stated this on other threads but since you once again raise the question about recs, I will repost.</p>
<p>Take time out for a second to consider this; UNC admissions specifically asks for ONE recommendation. They do this for a reason. There will be somewhere around 20,000 applications for admission to UNC this year. Each application is read at least twice. When you add in guidance counselor/college counselor recommendations, the general application information and the required essays, that is 100,000 items to be read and reviewed (with only one reading) by the admissions committee. If they ask for one recommendation and you submit more they can easily interpret that action to mean a) you can’t follow directions, or b)that there is something you are trying to hide or are worried about by overselling yourself. I have heard admissions reps at many schools say that they honestly wonder what an applicant is afraid of when they over submit recommendations</p>
<p>I have heard more than one admissions rep say that if they ask for one, send one. The ONLY reason to send more than one, and then only ONE more, would be if that person could tell something about you that your application, essays and required recommendation cannot. I have also heard more than one admission rep say that the thicker files automatically go to the bottom of the pile because the person was not following instructions.</p>
<p>You can do whatever you want to do but if you consider the daunting task that the admissions reps already have with just the number of required items they have to read to review the applications, I personally would not do anything to create a built-in bias against myself by adding more work and reading to their already overworked load. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Spend the time on your essays which UNC very clearly tells you are very very important in their process; they are YOUR voice and your way of humanizing the numbers on your application. Your essays will say more about you than any other person possibly could.</p>
<p>As for online versus paper, there will be no difference or advantage to using paper. Most schools now say they prefer online and only offer paper because some people still do not have easy access to computers.</p>
<p>Thanks, I’ll take your opinions consideration.</p>
<p>Now the question holds.. which of the two teachers? One is my former Calc Teacher who is on maternity leave for one year (and is a graduate of UNC-CH); or my History teacher (who happens to hate UNC-CH, but should write a very good recommendation in my opinion since he knows me more on a personal bases). I’m leaning towards my History teacher, since I don’t think the fact that my Calc Teacher is an UNC alumni matters too much.</p>
<p>I agree that they’d like only one of them, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt if I could just send one more. For example, one of my friends sent four recs to UNC last year, and didn’t have a problem getting in EA.</p>
<p>I think that the calc teacher being a UNC graduate will definitely add value to her recommendation. That and the fact that your other teacher apparently hates UNC..would be enough for me to choose the calc teacher. But what’s most important, at least to me, is choosing a teacher who knows me well, who I know has seen my best work, and who I know likes me.</p>
<p>Because his alma mater is NC State after being denied from UNC-CH (and accepted full scholarship from Davidson - didn’t attend because he liked the big-school atmosphere). It’s not really a true hatred, rather, more of a joke and tease among his students who like UNC.</p>
<p>Anyways, I wouldn’t know how much my Calc teacher being a UNC graduate will affect my chances at acceptance vs. my history teacher.. But, like I said, I think my history teacher will write a much better recommendation.</p>
<p>Also, I’d like some other opinions on the issue with my doctor; and since pre-med and medical school is my intended future, I’d like someone actually in that field to write an recommendation for me for a school like UNC (as it has a good pre-med program). Plus, I doubt adcoms will care if it is 1 or 2 more paragraphs to read! And also, like I’ve stated before, I’ve had friends who have sent 3-4 very good recs for UNC and have been accepted, while other friends who sent 1 average rec for UNC and have been waitlisted/denied (they’ve had pretty good grades, too).</p>
<p>Admissions rep. recently told students at my D’s school that it’s OK to send in more than one recommendation.
So DD is going for two, from two teachers who know her well.</p>