<p>Sorry to post these kinds of topics but I just want to get ready.</p>
<p>I heard that you would usually need 2 teacher recs. If you're applying to top schools, do these teachers must teach honors or AP courses? I heard that it's also best for your junior year teachers to write your recs. If the former is true I'm screwed because none of my AP teachers "like" me, but my language and business teacher do. (I plan to major in econ./finance if that makes a difference?..)</p>
<p>Check with your individual schools. Many top schools will not accept recs from language or business classes and specifically ask for one from math/science and another from english/history. </p>
<p>Junior year teachers are suggested because they are recent and have had a full year teaching you, which senior year teachers have not. Again, check with the school. Some schools only want recs from Junior/Senior year teachers, while many other schools will accept recs from Sophmore year teachers. </p>
<p>The teachers do not have to have taught AP or honors classes, though, as I've said, many schools will specify which subjects they should have taught you. The teachers writing your recs do not have to be especially friendly or low-key with you, but the teacher should respect you as a person and student and, for the top schools, should respect your work.</p>
<p>I've searched Stanford, Penn, Yale, etc all those top 10 ranking schools (don't fuss over this please..) and only found sumthing from Harvard. Either my Googling skills stink or the requirements are seriously not listed.</p>
<p>Harvard's website:
"Two Teacher Evaluations completed by teachers in different academic subjects who know you well."</p>
<p>So for Harvard, does this mean French and Biz is ok?...</p>
<p>Colleges generally prefer recommendations from your academic core teachers, which can include language teachers. If you really want your Business teacher to write a recommendation, then have it sent as a third teacher recommendation. And it is certainly acceptable to have your senior-year teachers write recommendations.</p>
<p>"Academic subjects" includes foreign language but not business. If you're applying for a business major, though, and your business teacher thinks well of you, you might want to submit that third recommendation that fireflyscout suggested.</p>
<p>Why do so many kids seem to think that it is unacceptable to get a recommendation from a foreign language teacher?</p>
<p>I agree that the language teacher is fine. I agree that science/math would, in general, be better than business... but maybe not so much in your case. </p>
<p>A couple of questions before further advice - </p>
<p>by "top schools", what do you mean? </p>
<p>And, although I don't think Honors or AP teachers are a requirement, for "top schools" you do want most of your classes to be at the Honors level if your school offers that. So what "non-Honors" classes/teachers are you thinking of? Is it because certain subjects, like business, aren't offered at Honors level or what?</p>
<p>You have another option, which your wise advance preparation makes possible: Start building a better relationship with your math and science teachers. If they "don't like" you, chances are some of the fault is yours. (And chances are that their opinion of you isn't quite as low as you think.) If you think a little about it, you will realize that nothing warms a teacher's heart more than the sense that he or she is finally reaching a student who began the year disengaged. If you make some effort, you may find that you can cultivate some impassioned, effective advocates to write your recommendations.</p>
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[quote]
I've searched Stanford, Penn, Yale, etc all those top 10 ranking schools (don't fuss over this please..) and only found sumthing from Harvard. Either my Googling skills stink or the requirements are seriously not listed.
<p>No, but your foreign language teacher, or any other teacher, can send in a supplemental recommendation letter on your behalf. There are no forms that we require to be submitted with this extra recommendation.
<p>Am a Spanish teacher and I have written letters for Harvard, Princeton, Rice, etc., and so far my kids are 100% accepted. I do not write for anyone else, but from my perspective.</p>
<p>So language teacher is good.
Business is a no-no but can be sent in as a 3rd rec. But do colleges REQUIRE a third rec or is it generally favorable to send in 3 teacher recs? Also, I have many outside-of-school people with distinctive positions who will also, most likely, write my recs. How many recs does a college usually want? Can I send in 3 teacher recs and an outside-of-school rec?</p>
<p>I'm looking at Harvard, Penn, and Stanford.</p>
<p>I believe those schools all require two recs, though I may be wrong. Supplemental recs should add to the others; they should not be repeating the same information. The people reading your file have a lot to go through and don't want to read pages that don't add significantly to the application. </p>
<p>Check with each of your individual schools regarding which teachers they want to write recs. If you sincerely can't find the information online, call.</p>
<p>Some schools will accept supplemental recs. Some will welcome them. Some strongly discourage additional materials over what they require. A Stanford admissions' rep, for example, ridiculed an (unnamed) applicant who sent in over 30 recs.</p>
<p>So do not think in terms of "unlimited." Think in terms of meeting the schools' requirements and preferences for number and type of recs. ONLY send in supplemental recs from people who know you very, very well, and know you in a context where they can describe how you will perform as a student and contribute to a college campus.</p>
<p>People with "distinctive positions" who don't meet the above requirements will detract from, not add to, the strength of your application, in my opinion.</p>
<p>I have consulted websites from a large number of colleges. I have never found one which wasn't very clear on how many and what type of recommendations it wants. You may have to actually click through to the actual application or instructions, though, to get this information. Also read the FAQs re applications, as they will often discuss there their own policies and philosophies re supplemental materials.</p>
<p>I think unlimited recs are a bad idea. I do think that if you've had a job or research position, having a recommendation from your boss or mentor is more likely to help than hurt you. But if I were going for outside recommendations I'd pick one or two at the most.</p>