Who to ask?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey everyone. I'm a rising senior, and have a dilema about what teachers to ask for my letters of recommedation next year. I think I'll definitely be asking my APUSH teacher but can't decide about my second recommendation. Here are the canidates:</p>

<h1>1 My Choir Teacher</h1>

<p>I've taken choir for my whole high school career, and actually had known my choir teacher from outside of school even before high school. I'm now the president of choir and an all-stater, so I'm extremely active in it. She also knows all my other extra-curriculars. But she also isn't an academic teacher.</p>

<h1>2 My Math Teacher</h1>

<p>I switched into her pre-calc class at the beginning of second quarter. I worked really hard, but wasn't at the top of the class (B, A, B+) I think we really connected though, she nominated me for a leadership thing. However, I'm not taking Calc next year, which she wanted me to, and I don't think she knows about any of my extra-curriculars.</p>

<p>What do you think? Do I go for the academic teacher or the teacher that knows me better?</p>

2

<p>Selective colleges usually ask for 2 academic rec letters first. A third letter is acceptable – sounds like your choir teacher fits this – but doesn’t supplant the 2nd academic letter. Get both of these teachers.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the tip! Three letters isn’t excessive?</p>

4

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</p>

<p>My sense (and somebody else may know better) is that n+1 letters isn’t excessive. If they ask for two, it’s OK to send a third if that third letter contributes information that the admissions committee wouldn’t have with just the other two. If they ask for one, it’s OK to send a second if… What isn’t OK is to give the admissions officer tasked with reading your file the task of slogging through half a dozen letters.</p>

<p>In your case, it does sound as if you should ask all three teachers. Two are academic, and the third can contribute important information about your involvement, leadership, etc.</p>

5

<p>Thank you! I’ll do that</p>