Who should I ask for recs?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
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I know that it is a hot button issue for high school students applying to elite colleges on who to ask for recommendation letters. Who’s name to drop, how to strategically angle your chances, and how to present yourself in the best light. As a high school student eager for college admissions, I employ you, the CC community, to help me consider my options in who to ask, and discuss who you should ask as well. I was interested in applying to M&T (one of UPenn’s most competitive programs, I know). Here are my candidates:

  1. High school Latin teacher: Will take his class for 4 years (Latin I, II Honors, III Honors, and AP Vergil & Caesar), UPenn alum, still close to the community, has a history of writing BEAUTIFUL rec letters that gets his few discipuli into top colleges every year. Little on the crazier side but I think I’m his favorite student.

  2. High school chemistry teacher: Recognized around the country, brother was her favorite student, writes incredible recs and gets the 2-3 kids she writes recs for into Ivies consistently. Big fan of the Classics as well. Tough teacher though, and demands the very best out of the kids she writes recs for.

  3. Freshman geometry teacher (and possible English teacher) as well as my varsity chess coach: Him and I have a good relationship (avid chess players, computer nerds, conservatives, and proud Scotsmen) and I think he has a good relationship with UPenn. Makes kids work like dogs for rec letters, and may not be worth it if he doesn’t know anyone there.

Supplementary Rec:

  1. Rabbi: GREAT relationship, one of his flock for my whole life. Son went to same high school as I and was admitted to UPenn Wharton. Writes rec letters for motivated students and probably carries a lot of weight. May retire relatively soon, and could lose interest in helping kids with this task (who could blame him?).

  2. Latin professor: Took a Latin course throughout high school at the local university and got to know the professor well. Once again, I will not be applying as a Classics major, so I don’t know how well that will go over. She’s a really cool person though, and having a letter sent from an actual professor could be different.

  3. Possible employer at local start-up: As my CC handle suggests, I code like a machine. I am applying to several ISP startups in my area, and would like to ask my employer for a rec if it isn’t too upfront, I get the job, and we have a good relationship.

Thank you everyone in advance

2

Why would you think this rabbi “carries a lot of weight” at Penn? Or that they would care that his son goes to Wharton?

I think you need to think about this differently. There are what, 25,000 or so applicants to Penn each year? But they care about YOUR rabbi? They don’t really have the time to sit there and care about who writes your reco.

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Sounds like you have some great options for rec letters. If you have a strong relationship with the teacher or advisor and you have mutual respect for one another, then choose that person. Simple.

4

Since you are just a sophomore, it would help if you focused on being the best student you can be. Don’t model your entire high school career on what you think will get you into a competitive college. It is a losing proposition. Why? Because that is what at least 20% of the students in every high school is doing. And what are those colleges looking for? Outstanding students not conforming students. Do you want to do things just for the sake of getting into bumper sticker named colleges? What happens if that does not work? Will you have blown the chance of having a great 4 years for the sake of something that is probably not going to be fruitful? Even though it does not sound like you’d consider a college or career in STEM, this piece has really helpful information for any high school student hoping to get into to a highly competitive school: http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways

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