Who to reference?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I am trying to figure out who I should use as my references. I have worked very closely with a number of teachers (which is very easy to do in such a small school) and have a list of people who would write excellent letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, however, I'm not sure who would be the best recommendation. My basic options are:
-My Spanish teacher. I've had her for four years, during which time I have received the Top Spanish Student Award all four years. She has allowed me to take AP Spanish Language and Spanish III as a nonnative speaker, and even created Spanish V so I could sit in on the AP class a second year in a row. I've set a number of records and made an excellent impression with her... overall, excellent recommendation.
-My Biology teacher. I have only had her for two years (Bio I and AP), but received a 100/101 in Bio I and a 96/98 in AP. I earned the first 5 on the AP exam in department history. We are on excellent terms, but maybe not the most personable essay. However, I am much more humanity/social science based, so I'm sure that a Bio recommendation may be of great value.
-My ACP U.S. History teacher. I only had him for a year, but during this time, I was at the head of my class and consistently outperformed my classmates, while building a great relationship with the teacher through debate inside and out of class. His wife works in college admissions, so he is very knowledgeable on the subject. I also received a 5 on the AP exam (which I took optionally).
-My Chemistry teacher. I have had her for two years, earning a 100/99 in her Chem I class. I currently have her for ACP. While we do not have the same close relationship as I do with my Biology teacher, she is much more knowledgeable about my self-study courses and my ability to work with the hard sciences (despite my hate for them).
-My AP English Language teacher. I had her for two years, during which time I received both an A and the Top English Student award (both years). She and I founded the Politics Club my 8th grade year, and have been on great terms ever since. I, as well as another student, also received a 5 on the AP exam (which hasn't been done in her time teaching the course).
-My AP English Literature teacher. She and I have an excellent relationship based upon the fact that we have worked closely together in Key Club (she's the sponsor and I've been an officer for three years) and the fact that I am her teacher's assistant first period. I have her now in my AP Lit class, and often lead the class in grades, discussion, and writing.
-My AP World History teacher. He is my Academic Team adviser (I'm Varsity co-captain) and has maintained a close relationship with me since AP World Sophomore year. I received a 4 on the exam, but set classroom records (essay scores, test scores, etc.) and was a leader in classroom debate and discussion.</p>

<p>Sorry for the rambling! Overall, I feel extremely blessed to have such terrific people to choose from... but, obviously, that makes the choosing even harder! I want to make sure that, as a prospective student of the humanities coming from a school which has never sent anyone to an Ivy, that I have the most balanced and competitive recommendation list possible! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Here is what Yale says:</p>

<p>High school teachers can provide extremely helpful information in their evaluations. Not only do they discuss your performance in their particular class or classes, but they may also write about your motivation, intellectual curiosity, energy, relationships with classmates, and impact on the classroom environment. It is important that you solicit recommendations from teachers who have taught you in academic subjects, who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is also preferable that letters come from teachers who have taught you during your junior or senior year of high school.</p>

<p>We prefer that letters of recommendation come from teachers who have taught you during your junior or senior year of high school in a core academic subject.</p>

3

<p>You want to choose teachers who know you well and who will rave about you as a potential scholar. MIT has a great website for what they are looking for in a teacher recommendations. The advice could apply to Yale or to any college: [Writing</a> Recommendations | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs]Writing”>How to write good letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions)</p>

4

<p>What are you considering majoring in? Perhaps if you are a more humanities based person, you would want your references from your AP World History and AP Lit teachers. Also, you don’t have to limit yourself to just two! You can provide additional recommendations.
Whoever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have fantastic recommendations! Best of luck!</p>

5

<p>Actually you DO need to limit yourself to two, unless a third recommendation provides significant additional information that neither of your teacher recs did.
See: [May</a> I submit supplementary letters of recommendation? | Yale College Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.yale.edu/may-i-submit-supplementary-letters-recommendation?]May”>http://admissions.yale.edu/may-i-submit-supplementary-letters-recommendation?) Sending extra recommendations with similar information is likely to backfire.</p>