Should I have a 3rd recommender if I'm unsure about it?

Applying to College
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So probably my top school… I’m submitting 3 recommenders but the worry is that the 3rd teacher (who I have on most other schools) is a bit late at doing stuff and worried he won’t write a good recommendation. He used to say freshman year that I’m one of his best students, very thoughtful in class, etc. I don’t know if it’s a personal thing but lately I almost think he dislikes me? If I try to make any conversation, he’s really short. I guess he gives quiet person vibes with most people though. It is hard to read him

  • Will my application be too heavy with a research portfolio I’m submitting + 3 recs?
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If this school only asks for 2 recommendations, stick with 2. More is not better, often it distracts from better LoR’s and is worse.

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Agreed with @BKSquared more recs l does not = better. And I would add, I would not use a 9th grade teacher. They want to see later and they want to see core classes - a math/science and social science/English/language works well.

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Oh yea, I had him in 9th grade history but I also have him for Seminar this year. + He’s my advisor/homeroom teacher for the 4 years of hs so he’s my teacher during the writing workshop that we all take the first week of each year.

Just wanted to maybe diversify since my profile is very science/math based.

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The first thing to ask yourself is whether this teacher is in a position to add something that the other teachers won’t mention. If not then the 3rd rec won’t help.

As for your worry about a bad rec, you need to simply ask. For example, “Am I a student you would write a strong letter of recommendation for, or do you suggest I ask someone else?” While it can be uncomfortable for a student to ask a direct question like this, I would never assume a teacher will write a positive rec. I know someone who was on the alumni scholarship committee for a well-known U and they regularly received letters of “rec” for the full-tuition scholarship that raked the kid over the coals.

In the book “The Gatekeepers”, in which a NY Times reporter followed the admissions committee at Wesleyan for a year, is an example of a bad rec. Obviously when the student asked for a rec she assumed it would be positive, but here is what she got:

This could have been avoided if the teacher had been asked if they would write a strong rec. The student did not get in.

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Seminar is not core. It’s not bad to use per see if that’s your comfort but not core. Home room does not count nor does a week long writing class.

You don’t need three. It will not enhance you. So if you lack confidence, remove him from Common App.

Check your schools but I can’t imagine any ask for 3 teachers. Usually an optional 3rd is non academic…ie coach, clergy etc

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I don’t know of any college that asks for 3 teacher LORs. Typically if an extra LOR is sent it is from someone who knows you outside of a classroom setting and can offer a different perspective (ex. boss, music teacher, coach etc.).

Don’t muddle your application with recommendations that are not asked for – especially when you are not positive that the additional one will be outstanding.

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