<p>My teacher recs as of now are a history teacher from 11th grade and a bio teacher from 10th grade. Yale says that it strongly encourages 11th and 12th grade recs, but as I am applying SCEA, it seems a lot more reasonable to choose a 10th grade teacher than to choose a 12th grade teacher. Of all my teachers, the 10th grade bio teacher is the one I am closest to; I have also worked with her outside of class for the science team throughout all of 11th grade, and I still chat with her almost every other day. I could ask a 11th grade chem teacher but he definitely does not know me as well. What should I do?</p>
<p>ask the 10th grade teacher. as long as she knows you in a current context, you're good.</p>
<p>I actually am having this exact same problem... I'm pretty close to my 10th grade physics teacher and I had her write me one, even tho i knew yale said that they wanted 11th and 12th grade teachers. But, recently I ended up asking my 12th grade chem teacher who is an amazingly nice person, so hopefully, after providing him with a list of my activites and talking with him on a one-on one basis, he'll be able to write a good rec. You're right tho, it does seem weird that they would want a 12th grade teacher whom, by the time we apply, they'll only have known us about 2 months. But I think it's just so they can see ur most recent activity.</p>
<p>I think it also depends on your regional rep.
Mine (lower NY) expressly emphasized that she REALLY didn't prefer reading recs from teachers before 11th grade because they cannot evaluate what you are like NOW.
In my opinion, since you've still worked with that teacher throughout the years, I don't see that being an issue.</p>
<p>thanks guys. im glad im not the only one. this college thing really is as stressful as they say...</p>
<p>Basically Yale wants a letter writer who can really speak to your personal character, leadership qualities, personality, accomplishments and ways of going about doing things as they are right now -- using specific examples to do so.</p>
<p>If Yale gets a letter that just basically says "two years ago, I had this great student who picked things up quickly and was in my science club", it's going to be a real missed opportunity, or even a negative. You need something much more compelling than that.</p>
<p>The recs (and your essay) are a very important part of your application, so use them well! Pick a teacher who is intelligent, thoughtful, and has good writing abilities. The admissions officers are more likely to spend time re-reading a letter if it is witty, uses complex sentences and free of typos.</p>