Who do I get a recommendation from...?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have 2 out of these pick out of these teachers. Each of them has good points, but each of them also has drawbacks:</p>

<p>1. My theater coach and Freshman year Honors English teacher.
He knows me very, very well. Sometimes, I talk to him on the phone, hang out with him afterschool to just chat, etc. Even though he knows my true bubbly personality and my strengths, and probably has some good things to say about my theater involvement (he knows everything I've done in speech + drama), he also knows my weaknesses. Also, he only taught me my freshman year, even though he knows me much better than any other teacher.</p>

<p>*2. My sophomore year AP US History Teacher *
I like this guy. I did very well in his class, got really high marks, and I think he likes me well enough. His writing ability is probably fantastic. He knows the stuff I do after school. But the thing is that my friend is extremely close to him, and would write him an amazing, amazing recommendation. What if he writes him a really good recommendation but then decides to write me a lackluster one so that I pale in comparison? Some of the colleges we are applying to overlap.</p>

<p>3. My sophomore year honors biology teacher
She likes me very much--- and I think she's awesome---and knows my achievements outside of school. I am part of her NHS group. After I moved on to become a junior, my sophomore year friends in biology kept telling me about how she'd mention me in class. Her writing probably won't be nearly as good as the above two. Sometimes what she says on paper is a bit confusing. =/</p>

<p>4. My junior year honors English teacher
I do well in his class, but I never really got to know him. I scored very well on his writings, but I'm not sure if he thinks of me as a grade monger. Honestly, I don't know what he thinks of me, but he is the only junior year teacher I'd dare to ask for a recommendation. Some of the other teachers wouldn't have very good writing ability, I don't think. </p>

<p>5. My senior year AP English teacher
My senior year English teacher is a very sarcastic person, so honestly, I can't tell whether she likes me or not. =/ She knows that I'm in speech and drama, but I don't think she knows how well I do because she tends to not watch us. She's also a bit of a procrastinator, but if she gets things done, I'm sure her writing ability would be good. </p>

<p>6. My senior year AP Calculus teacher and sophomore Honors algebra II teacher.
I did amazingly in algebra II my sophomore year and got the highest grade in that class. This year however, I am having a very, very hard time keeping up in calculus. Math just isn't my forte. I'm still getting an A, but it means going in for after school help several days a week to get a better understanding of what's going on. He's educated in a top-notch school that I, too, would like to apply to, but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with anything. </p>

<p>Thanks! I appreciate any input.
:-(</p>

2

<p>Going by the information you have provided (which is not quite enough unfortunately), I would choose teachers that have taught you more recently, and can give an accurate assessment of your performance, academic motivation, achievements, and contribution to class. In this case, #1, #2, and #6. </p>

<p>Your theater coach is a good choice because he knows your talents and your motivation very well, and since he knows you that well, he will give a more detailed and accurate depiction of your contributions to the theater program and to his English class. </p>

<p>As for your AP History teacher, most certainly ask him for a recommendation. Teachers have many good things to say about their best students, and they certainly aren't limited to one "favorite" student. Similarly, my history teacher wrote great recs for both me and a student who was applying to Brown (his alma mater), and whom he liked a great deal. I was not applying to Brown, but I was the top student in his classes consistently for the previous three years. </p>

<p>Finally, your calculus teacher knows how well you can overcome difficulty, and he knows that you know when to ask for help and succeed with other's guidance, something that is crucial in college. He also knows how motivated you are to succeed in his class. This would provide invaluable insight into your strengths as a student. </p>

<p>So in my opinion, #1, #2, and/or #6. </p>

<p>Hope this was helpful,</p>

<p>Tokyo</p>

3

<p>^^^Ditto!</p>

<p>I was going to say the same thing! But since you said you only need two, I would use 1 and 6. #1 will demonstrate your extracurriculars, and #6 will display your work ethic and determination.</p>

<p>I am not sure about the application policy at your school. At mine, we turn in our requests at the end of Junior year. (Minimum two recs) My counselor told me to get three. Basically, guidance at my school reads them, edits the grammar in them, THEN chooses the best ones without you ever seeing them, so you can still check off that you waived your right to see the recommendation. (BTW, a BIG plus for admissions, since they know the rec is then truthful.)</p>

4

<p>Both of the above took the words right out of my mouth (or fingers...).</p>

5

<p>A good thief I am. <em>cackles</em></p>