Teacher Recommendation Dilemma

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey everyone, so I'm in the process of applying to college and am having trouble deciding which teachers' recommendations to send. It'd be so helpful if any of you could offer advice. Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>I've already asked these teachers/they've already finished writing (I needed it for early apps). So a bit more about the teachers:</p>

<p>11th grade BC Calculus teacher (also let me skip a few levels of math in 9th grade, so he knew of me before; chaperoned math team competition that I was part of 11th grade; I am pretty sure I want to send this one)</p>

<p>AP Physics teacher (I took his class for a few weeks 11th grade, struggled and dropped it, then attempted again 12th grade, ended with A+ in class. Technically only knew him for one term; only one that requested a resume so possibly mention of ECs in letter also)</p>

<p>English Teacher (had him all of 10th grade, and for an elective 12th grade; I get honors grades on papers, but have trouble with class participation. I basically never talked in 10th grade, put in more effort this year but I still suck at it; commented "fine writer, but would like her to speak up more in class")</p>

<p>The asking questions/participating aspect is my weakness. It is less noticeable and probably not AS important in math and science classes, but I am definitely very shy, which probably comes across in all the recs. Is it still better to have one math/science, and one humanities rec? I am still not a talkative person in my calculus and physics class, there's just less talking in general and it is much less noticeable. I think they all know me pretty equally, on a personal level. And how negative is being shy/not talking in class in college applications?</p>

<p>A part of me wants Calc and English, because its standard, and more balanced. A Calc/Physics seems way too math-y, I might think differently if it was Calc/Bio or something, but its not. My english/history grades are also not that high, so it seems safer.</p>

<p>And another part of me wants Calc and Physics, just because I think they are (even just slightly) stronger recs. A lot of my extracurriculars are science/math related, and its clear in my apps that I prefer it to english/history.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Am I over-thinking this? Any advice would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>Just a bit more context:
I am an asian female, applying as science (probably chemistry, physics, something like that, possibly engineering) major, with 2320 SAT, and mostly math/science extracurriculars, with also a lot of music and one student publication. I am applying to schools like Tufts, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, Rice, Cornell, BC, NYU...</p>

2

<p>Definitely the calc teacher and I would go with the physics. Fact he asked for a resume was indicative of a likely informed letter. Plus he may talk up your other attributes, like perseverance. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the response! Are there any other opinions?</p>

4

<p>tl;dr</p>

<p>Check each college and see what they require. Some will require one math/sci and one Eng/Humanities. If not, send your strongest reqs. It is nice to distribute but not at the expense of strength.</p>

5

<p>I agree that the calc teacher is a must and then I would also recommend going with the physics. I would say that “a fine writer, but would like her to speak up in class” would not translate into a recommendation as well as the AP physics teacher who seems to be very invested into the recommendation (considering he asked you for a resume).</p>

<p>Finally, though, I believe its up to you and who you think would give you better recommendations. Obviously we internet people do not know your teachers as well as you do, so you should probably be able to predict where you would get the better recommendation. And then of course, some schools want recommendations from different areas of study so make sure you double-check that and comply with those rules.</p>

6

<p>You have to check each school you are applying to – some require one humanities and one math/science. So picking one calc and one physics would leave you short a rec.</p>

7

<p>All right, thanks everyone. I’ll be going with the physics and calc teacher. :)</p>