<p>Okay so i am applying as a Biochem major and i was wondering if it would be better for me to get a rec from my AP chemistry teacher and my AP statistics/math tutor/AP Calc BC teacher or my AP chemistry teacher and my AP english/english III teacher. My english teacher has student write their own and that makes me feel a little dishonest, but would it be better to make them think that i am well rounded?</p>
<p>I would go with your English teacher. They want to see a wide angle of your aptitudes. If that is how your English teacher does them, then thats how he/she does them - not your fault. Besides, if she's signing it, which presumably she is, then she is still signaling her endoresement of the words. I do not think that this is a matter of honesty/dishonesty so much as a matter of displaying well-roundedness</p>
<p>^ I second bulldogbull.</p>
<p>I don't like your having to write your own rec. Not because of the dishonesty factor -- I agree; if the teacher signs it, he/she agrees with it -- but because there are ways teachers are familiar with to make a point that unsophisticated people like students won't have. </p>
<p>For example: Calling someone "hard-working" and "diligent" may connote that someone is unimaginative and a grind, depending on what else is in the rec. Calling someone "enthusiastic" and "always involved in class discussions" may connote that he never shuts up -- again, depending on what else is in the rec.</p>
<p>I'd be concerned that you may not have the sophistication to write a good rec and that you might inadvertently insinuate something without knowing it.</p>
<p>IMHO, go with the teacher who knows you best and likes you the most. I don't think the subject he/she teaches really matters. You'd rather have two great recs from two teachers in the same subject area than one great rec and one mediocre rec from teachers in two different subject areas.</p>
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"always involved in class discussions" may connote that he never shuts up
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<p>LMAO ^^ :D</p>
<p>Don't be alarmed about writing your own rec. The teacher is very likely to edit it extensively, but may want you to do the first draft just so you can emphasize things s/he might not be aware of. I would make this decision based in part on your stats: if you scored really high in math/science and lower in CR or literature, e.g., you would be better served by a rec from an English teacher who could reassure the adcom that you are better than your scores. If vice-versa, then more of a math/science emphasis in recs might be better.</p>