<p>I think an “unusual circumstance” would be, your parents are in the military and you have to move after sophomore year; however, after your junior year, you move back, and you need recommendations.</p>
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<p>Does this teacher still have heavy contact with you now? As in, you have a leadership position in a club he/she advises? Or something similar?</p>
<p>You’d need to contact Stanford and ask about it, since nobody here will know for sure, but I daresay that it isn’t an “unusual circumstance” just to want a sophomore teacher to write your recommendation.</p>