Is it true that you should have one of the recommendations be from Math/Science and another from the humanities (history, english, etc)? This might be a problem since I am a strongly math/science guy and all my math/sci teachers really like me, but I have never really gotten to know an English teacher that well. I am close to a spanish teacher, but we’re more like buddies and he’s really young so I don’t know if he has experience writing formal recs to places like HYPMS and stuff…
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<p>most schools with liberal arts prefer recs from different disciplines (to show breadth)...some require it (check websites of schools you are considering). Math/science, engineering schools prolly don't care.</p>
<p>since you're asking about recs, let me point out it is CRITICAL that when you ask a teacher for a rec you also ask that teacher if they will be able to write a strong rec. This IS appropriate, phrased politely of course. For example, "Am I a student you would write a strong letter of reccomendation for, or do you suggest I ask someone else?" Don't argue or question why if the answer is ask someone else, simply to thank the teacher for their honest answer.</p>
<p>If you could ask every teacher you've had for their opinion, odds are many would have a favorable opinion but there'll be a couple of surprises. And sometimes a teacher you assume would like you (due to a high grade, for example) sees things differently. There is no shame or dishonor in deliberately selecting those who hold a favorable opinion to write a rec.</p>
<p>And while it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this to a teacher, it HAS to be done. In the book "The Gatekeepers" is an example of a bad rec.
[quote]
There were times, I must admit,that I thought Tiffany might have taken a stronger interest in mastering the material in our course. When I saw that Tiffany was a National Merit Semi-Finalist I was a bit surprised. While clearly bright and competent, I had seen in Tiffany neither an exceptional skill for testing nor a particular affinity for the subject.
[/quote]
This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in, BTW.</p>
<p>I concur with mikemac's point, but suggest phrasing it a little softer: Would you feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of rec....but, as noted, unles you get an IMMEDIATE, 'yes, I'd be happy to,' look somewhere else.</p>