<p>If I were applying to an engineering college, do I want both teachers to be from math/science classes? Or, do I want only one? I've heard that I'm supposed to ask one math/science teacher and one humanities teacher. Is this notion true? Do I want to ask this spring or wait until I have my final list of colleges together?</p>
<p>You want at least one math/science teacher to write your recommendation. It does not have to be 2. I asked my AP Physics teacher and AP english language teacher for recommendations and got into some of the best engineering schools. </p>
<p>You should ask your teachers now to write your recommendation letters. They may write a bad recommendation letter if you ask them after the summer and they feel rushed in writing it. Ask them at least before school ends. And they may ask you to write a ‘brag’ sheet and what you would like them to include in their recommendation letter.</p>
<p>First check the college websites, some have specific requirements for who sends LORs, particularly for engineering.</p>
<p>You likely will want one from math/science, but keep in mind that the quality of the LOR is much more important than the subject taught.</p>
<p>If none of the schools have restrictions on who should write the LOR, ask now as your school list isn’t likely to change who you ask.</p>
<p>I’m in a dilemma:
Teacher 1
-will have had sophomore and junior year (chem and AP Chem)
-highest grade soph. year and possibly again this year (we receive awards for those)
-National Honor Society advisor
-OK relationship
-has a lot of my school’s top, top students, so I may not stand out as much
-took Chem SAT and did well
-will have probably good AP score</p>
<p>Teacher 2:
-will have had junior year and senior year (physics and AP Physics)
-better relationship
-probably highest average this year - I may wait to see
-adviser of a small club, of which I’m a member and possible officer next year
-not taking Physics SAT and won’t have AP results</p>
<p>I want to ask teacher 2, but only having him for one year kind of makes me lean towards teacher 1, whom I’d have had for 2.</p>
<p>IMO, the bottom line with LORs is who will write the BEST one for YOU. I don’t think the single year is a problem if they are likely to write you a better letter.</p>
<p>i guess since every kid who’s applying to a selective college has good academic stats, i should focus on the LOR that elucidates my character best</p>
<p>Teacher 2 sounds better for you. Junior year is the most important year for a teacher to have had you for an LOR. Teacher 1 doesn’t seem like he/she knows much about you beyond your academic strengths, whereas teacher 1 knows you outside of the classroom as well and thus can probably say more about you as a person.</p>
<p>Remember, you’re already going to be submitting your grades, SAT IIs, and AP scores (well, at least the ones you want to submit), so your LORs aren’t going to help you much if they only reiterate that information. What colleges are really looking to get out of LORs is an understanding of who you are as a student (not what your scores are, but how you interact with your teachers and fellow students, whether you’re an avid learner, how you’ve overcome struggles, etc.) and who you are as a person.</p>
<p>My daughter had a teacher similar to teacher #2 to write her LOR, it turned out to be a dud. She even said my daughter resembled her when she was younger. She was an English teacher so you think she would be able to write. My daughter had a A and was advised by her in a club as well. The only clue was that she was NOT known as a good teacher.
My advice is to find a teacher that is well respected, department chair or something, teacher that have nominated you for academic awards.</p>