Which teacher rec would be more valuable?

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I have a problem that no one else probably ever had before...</p>

<p>I asked a couple of teachers for a rec for the common app and also some special programs that require more than the normal humanities/hard science combo that's seen on the common app. Right now, I have both my English and history teachers agreeing to write my recs. (Also math and bio, but they do the recs in the fall). I know both of my English and history teachers spend a lot of time on recs over the summer. </p>

<p>Now... how can I get only one of them to submit the rec electronically, so I still have space to put in a science or math rec?</p>

<p>I know my teachers will be working hard on them, so they will probably get offended and feel that I'm using them as 'backup'. </p>

<p>AP US is my favorite subject by far (will mention this in personal statement, SSR, etc), and I got a 99 in the class. Moreover, the teacher is well known throughout the NYC area and was an SSR writer before becoming a teacher, and will definitely write an amazing rec.</p>

<p>English, it's the highest grade I've gotten in English in high school. Not that high, but a clear jump from the usual ~92 I get. Also, teacher felt that my writing this semester in her class was very good relative to her other juniors, and will definitely focus on my writing (history teacher will as well, but clearly more writing in an English class).</p>

<p>I never expected to find myself in this dilemma. So... which rec would be more instrumental to my college app? One from my favorite teacher in my favorite subject that I excel in, or one from a teacher in a subject that I usually don't do well in but did this semester?</p>

<p>And what would be the best way to go about approaching my teachers?</p>

2

<p>You’ve already asked them. It won’t look good. If it’s true that they’ll write your rec during the summer (meaning they’ll have plenty of time to reflect on you), and assuming that you were active in their respective class, than you should have a fantastic rec. Both will add a different element to your app; History teacher will speak of your consistent performance and of your character (assuming of course that you’ve taking the time to get to know him/her because it’s your favorite subject), and the English will speak of your improvement and growth (something that’s important to colleges). </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Do your teachers send their recommendation straight to the college? Is their a middleman, maybe your guidance counselor, who ends up sending it?</p>