Teacher Letters of Recommendation

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

I have two questions:

  1. Do both letters of recommendation have to be from teachers the student has actually had in a class? Or would a letter from a teacher that is a faculty adviser for a school club (e.g. school paper, robotics team, etc.) in which both student/teacher were involved in for 3+ years be acceptable?

  2. I understand that some colleges prefer letters from Junior and Senior year teachers. However, if a student is applying ED, I don’t see how a Senior year teacher is a great choice since that doesn’t give the teacher a lot of time to get to know the student. So, then you are left with only teachers from Junior year. I didn’t see where Brown stated a preference but I am wondering what other people are doing.

2
  1. Teacher recommendations need to be from an academic class. Some colleges will accept a supplemental recommendation that can come from a faculty advisor, boss, clergy etc. but the focus of that supplemental letter should be on things outside of the classroom. Brown website is very clear. https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/ask?faq_category=17
  2. In general if you are applying ED it is best to use teachers from junior year. If a student previously had a senior year teacher in a previous year that could work.
3

Thanks. I saw that page and thought it was unclear. I don’t see where it say specifically the teacher has to be from an academic class?

4

https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/apply/first-year-applicants

Look at the School Forms section. It says,

“Through the Common Application applicants can request school forms and recommendations via email from their guidance counselor and from two teachers who have taught them in major academic subjects (science, social studies, mathematics, foreign language, English).”

5

Thank you Ciervo!