Hi there!
Over the past couple of years, I have had my ups and downs with certain teachers, and this has culminated to me not really knowing who specifically I should ask for recommendation letters. As such, I hope you guys can help me decide. I do have my own inclinations, but I would like a third-party view.
Math - I have known this teacher since 9th grade in Math Olympiad and am VP of the club. So far this year, I have introduced a new national math competition in the club and started a new honors math tutoring program. In her class, when I first came to her IB Math HL class junior year, I was not at all confident of my abilities in math, but put in tons of work (hours per day) and came in frequently to her class to ask questions and understand the material. I ended up with As both semesters, and in the local math/science competition which our Math Olympiad team competed in, I won 3rd place. Earlier this year, I wrote a very introspective letter to her thanking her and she loved it!
Chemistry - I have known this teacher since 11th grade as my IB Chem HL teacher. I do not know her that well, but I do think she likes me and I have excelled in her class. I do not stand out like others who ask many questions (mostly because I do not understand what she teaches until I can get home and make my own sense of it). Because of other commitments, I have been unable to take many of her tests on time, and I think she may not like me because of that.
English - I have known this teacher since 11th grade and her IB English class was a nightmare. Few students ever earned an A in that class, so I definitely put in my hardest work every day. However, I was not the best student in this class, as I did not get As on her in-class essays and did not participate as much as the most outspoken kids in class. To improve my essay-writing skills, I did go in frequently to get help and to help improve myself, though improvement eluded me until the last essay. I do feel, overall, that my hard work did show in her class through presentations, and she does like me as a result. I ended up with As both semesters.
Spanish - This one is tricky! I know my Spanish teacher and she knows me a mile better than any other teacher in the school. I had her class for 3 years. The first two years went extraordinarily well. I was the top student in her class consistently and participated VERY often. I earned multiple Spanish awards and a 5 on the AP exam. Junior year, because of sleep deprivation and other classes, I fell off in terms of participation and engagement in the class and she told me that I was not the same student as the past two years, even though I easily managed As in her classes that year. Additionally, as an officer in her club Junior year, I did not complete many of my responsibilities and subsequently did not reapply for membership in the club. Once she let me know that I was not the same student, I assured her that I would try harder and subsequently got a 7/7 on the IB exam. As I said, she knows me extremely well, but I’m unsure as to the fact if she would still write a good letter of rec.
From these 4 options, which two who would you select?
That is all! Thanks, everyone!