Teacher recommendations?

Question

Should I get recommendations from teachers I know well and/or did well in their class (I had the same teacher for Physics and Chemistry and Latin 2 and 3...but they were regular classes)

or

teachers like AP or honors teachers that will make me look smart, but I'm not as sure what they'll have to say about me (like AP English for example)

I want to go to University of Maryland which is a mainly math/science school...so should I get recommendations from my science and math teachers??? I'm in Pre-cal now and currently have an 88 and it is considered honors...and my science teacher has known me for 2 yrs...also I have a Latin teacher that has known me for 2 yrs (is Latin considered an important academic subject?)

Give me your advice! Is 3 too many?

Answer 1

Recommendations are important during your application process. Therefore, firstly, ask whoever it is that you want to give you a recommendation if they will "give you a good recommendation." Why? I am an admission counselor myself and receive bad recommendations all the time.

As far as who you should get to write a recommendation for you, there are many factors to keep in mind:
1. We love seeing recommendations from individuals that have known you for a while. I love reading recommendations from teachers that can show how a student has grown, matured and become a better student throughout the years.
2. Always make sure that you get a recommendation from someone that has the time to write it for you. Teachers and counselors are very busy, especially during this time of year because they are writing so many recommendations. Make sure that you'll find someone that can spend some time on your recommendation and have a thoughtful response. Thoughtful recommendations are much better than a rushed recommendation, no matter who writes it.
3. If you are applying to a very specialized program, try to get a teacher that teaches in what you want to major in. These recommendations are sometimes important because it "proves" the type of college student you will be in that subject as well. However, getting a recommendation from that particular subject is not necessary. If you know a teacher or counselor that will write you an even better recommendation, get it from that person.
4. Try to get recommendations from individuals that know more of you than just your academics. Try to get someone that knows you academically, but can also talk about your activities on campus. These types of recommendations "prove" to us that you are a "well-rounded individual."

If the university asks for two recommendations, just send two. It won't make you look any better if you can get three recommendations. First, readers of applications might think that you don't know how to follow directions if you send in more than you were asked. Also, in my opinion, it seems as though the student is trying too hard by sending more than the required number of recommendations.

Good luck in applying to college!

Answer 2

Go with teachers from whom you are more likely to get a good letter of recommendation. As to the honors course, the admissions people will see that on your transcript. A not so warm recommendation will not only look iffy. It might also indicate that you have poor judgement in asking that teacher to write something.

As to the numbers, I don't think 3 is too many, but I would look at the application. If it asks for 2 send 2. If it leaves the matter open, send 3 if you feel comfortable about getting 3 strong recommendations.

Answer 3

Did they specifically ask for letters of recommendation? If not, don't bother to include them, as admissions will be flooded with applications, and they will be in a hurry. If they do ask for them, give them the number suggested, no more or less, and remember that everybody is going to be submitting those "letters of recommendation". That's a lot of letters! They will only get cursory inspection at best. ALL teachers want their students to have every opportunity to do well. The success of their students is a teachers measure their own success. Unless you know that the teacher is going to knock you, I'd say go for the hardest, most pertinent subjects, and expect your teachers to say good things about you. The admissions folks are probably going to go no further than "letters - check", "hard subjects - check", and then move on to the more telling parts of your application - namely what classes you took and how you did in them. Studying Latin may not seem important, but it shows diversity in your background and is a plus overall. It makes you stand out from all the other students who all took all those same AP classes! One last thing. Do they ask for an essay? If so, spend your time on that. Good luck, and don't worry!

Answer 4

Three is a lot, I know this from my World studies teacher who only talks about teacher recommendations. Get it from a teacher that you have a relationship with, preferably someone that teaches math/science. If the teacher likes you, they will of course have more positive things to say about you than others...Don't just go for the "smartness". AS my teacher says, it's really those little things about personality and what positive things you will contribute to the college that give you thhe extra push in. Hope you get in!

Answer 5

Many schools will ask for multiple recommendation letters. I would tend to ask the people that you have know the longest for the letters. They will be in the best position to speak about you on multiple levels. Most universities are looking for the intangibles that you will bring to their school beyond the good GPA. Only those that know you well will be able to speak to these qualities in you.

Answer 6

Get your recs from teachers that know you well enough to not only comment on you academically, but can also atest to you being a leader or good person. While its ok to get recs from the "good grade" classes,they will be limited in what they can say if they don't know you as a person

Answer 7

Only get the number of recommendations that the school wants. It doesnt matter who you get it from, but it's better coming from past teachers who know you and know your work and performance in their classes.

Answer 8

get both and if u can get administration ones if they know u thats what i did admin is the best u can get good luck def get the forin lang teacher it shows u know ur stuff and dont slack off cause it is a diff lang

Answer 9

confident. i think of you will possibly desire to. I does not incredibly count type the grades he gave you with the aid of fact he does not write that contained in the advice. contained in the advice he's speaking approximately you as a student, your learn conduct, character ect. choose for it!