Who to ask for recs???

Applying to College
1

<p>Alright so I'm kind of in a bind here. My grades, SAT's, EC's are all pretty good i'd say, but i'm really a huge slacker during class. EVen though i'm going to be either 1/2, I give off the vibe to my teachers that I'm not paying attention at all in class and just getting good grades....which is 100% true. Obviously, this will not be good for recs.</p>

<p>I know for sure I'll be asking one taecher. He was my APUSH sophomore teacher. I've known him for 3 years now, because he's also my XC/track coach. We're always talking after school or during school about track and I also give him advice about workouts and stuff so that'll be a sure rec.</p>

<p>After that I don't really have too many options...here's what i have</p>

<p>Junior year APUSH history teacher. REALLY good teacher. Graduate from Brown, and knows a lot about history. This is the only class in which I actually take notes and don't slack only because he would kill me otherwise, and his tests are based on his notes. A few problems are, it's another history teacher, so would this show a lack of variety and range on my part? Also, I don't participate that much in his class, since it's usually him talking which won't really make for anyhting great on the rec. I get the highest scores on his tests but that's about it. Our relationship isn't impersonal, but we're not good friends or anything. He does know that I'm a good student, and that I want to go to COlumbia. I guess he'll try to whip something good up. I'll be taking his AP Euro class next year so I'll try to get on better terms with him.</p>

<p>Other choice is a teacher who I'm more familiar with. However, the downside is he teaches Music Theory/Band. I have had him for 2 years now for MT, and next year will be a third year of AP Music THeory, so I've known him for a while. I get the feeling he likes me a lot more than the history teacher mentioned above. I'm always participating in his class and asking questions and giving the feeling that I want to learn more or go into more depth aobut a certain topic. Once again, my only reservation is the fact that he teachs music, and isn't a core subject teacher, but we have a good, and familiar relationship.</p>

<p>Other than that I'm kinda out. I'm a total bum in math/science classes since those are my best subjects. I could ask my physics teacher, who likes me a lot, but he's not very professional at all. His class is basically a slacker class, and he gives us a lot fo free time to do nothing. I stood out by asking intriguing questions and acing his tests.</p>

<p>Alright so who should I go with. If I go with the history teacher, that's 2 history recs which could be bad. If i go with the music teacher, that's not a core subject whihc could also be bad. Physics teacher is a maybe....I'm not sure how seriously he would take it.</p>

<p>English teachres probably right good recs, but it's my weakest subject and I probably wouldnt have anything "standout" to be written about me.</p>

<p>Thanks for any and all suggestions!</p>

<p>edit: I'm leaning towards the history teacher, because nearing APtest and SATII time, I started to really standout in class because I was the only one really studying. How bad is having 2 recs from the same subject teachers??</p>

2

<p>It would probably be in your best interest to have two recommendations from two different subject areas. It shows range and accomplishment in different subjects rather than just one subject. It sounds like your Physics teacher could speak well of you in a recommendation so you could ask him, if you decide to get another recommendation in another subject.</p>

3

<p>I would go with the Physics teacher and then send the music theory rec as a supplement.</p>

4

<p>I would go with the Physics teacher, especially if you feel that you stood out. A question: Is it ok to get recs from both History and English teachers?</p>

5

<p>ASK A COUNSELOR, A TEACHER, AND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOU OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL (someone involved in one of your ECs, community services, talents, or sports)</p>

6

<p>If you have a good idea where you're applying, you should check their application. Some schools request one rec from math/science and one from humanities, some request 2 academic recs, and some don't care about subjects at all.</p>

7

<p>i'll be applying Columbia ED...that's two teachers and a counselor i'm pretty sure right?</p>

<p>Ye i guess the physics teacher wouldn't be too bad. I doubt he writes many recommendations though since most of his students are seniors, and i had him as a sophomore. I don't know if thats a good or bad thing. So then I'd have two sophomore year teachers....is taht bad? Do colleges prefer junior year recs? I guess i have no choice</p>

8

<p>Columbia wants two recs from academic teachers and has a check-box form for counselors. (see here</a>)</p>

<p>Colleges prefer junior year recs because they've known you for a full year (unlike senior teachers), but recently enough to write accurate testimonials (unlike sophomore and freshman teachers). You should definitely have at least one teacher from junior year.</p>

9

<p>crap...you think i should sacrifice a sophomore year rec for a more generic, junior year one? I could either ask 2 history teachers, or get one from my spanish teacher from junior year. But the spanish teacher would definitely just write a generic one...</p>

<p>Would it be that bad to have 2 history teachers...or 2 soph year recs?</p>

10

<p>bumpppppppp</p>

11

<p>Rereading your original post, you may be able to do well with the physics teacher, actually. I understand he's not the greatest teacher, but if he likes you and you stand out in class and on tests, do you think he'd be able to testify well to your strengths & interest?</p>

12

<p>ye. he's actually a really cool guy. Sure he's not a very demanding teacher, but he's been teaching for 40+ years now and is also the science coordinator, so I'm sure he can be serious when he needs to be. Alright, I think I'll just go with the history/coach and physics teacher. thanks</p>