I have three teachers that I’m asking for recommendations from: my English teacher, my Gov teacher, and my orchestra teacher. Out of the three, I know that my orchestra director definitely knows me best. I’ve been very committed to violin and I even took an additional orchestra class just so I could learn viola as well. I’m one of his best players and he’s the kind of teacher that also treats you like a friend and shares their personal life. Unfortunately, half of the colleges I’m applying to require me to give recommendations from two academic subjects. Is there a way to add recommenders so that for the schools that don’t require core academic subjects, I can add my orchestra teacher instead? Or does the Common App only let you invite teacher recommendations if they serve as your recommendation for all of the schools?
If the school accepts supplemental recs, then you can add the third. If they don’t, you can’t. The Common App recs section for your colleges will indicate their policy.
Many schools allow you to submit an arts supplement. You could put together a music supplement and have your orchestra teacher submit a letter of recommendation with that, if the school allows for it.
Some colleges may also allow for you to invite an “Other Recommender” to complete a recommendation on your behalf. I would highly recommend asking your orchestra teacher to complete this type of recommendation if the college does not allow for more than 2 teacher recommendations.
You can definitely use your music teacher as an “Other” recommendation, which nearly all schools allow you to do.