Who should write my recommendation letters?

Students often ask us who should write their recommendation letters, and this is always a tough question to answer because ultimately you know your teachers much better than we do! However, we can provide you with some things to consider when trying to decide who it might make sense to ask.

The first thing to do is make sure that the two teachers you chose fit into our requirements—they need to have taught you in eleventh or twelfth grade in a core academic subject (math, science, social studies, foreign language, or English). Next, think about the teachers you have the closest relationships with and the ones you think would have a lot to say about you. What classes have you most enjoyed? Is there something—a project, a paper, a presentation—that you are particularly proud of and would like a teacher to discuss? Have you experienced something with this teacher that makes you memorable? When considering this final point, think outside the box. While you might not think about asking your chemistry teacher to write you a recommendation letter if chemistry was a class you struggled with, that teacher may be able to speak to your incredible work ethic, your curiosity about unfamiliar material, and your positive attitude.

Ask yourself: what do I want the person reading my application to know about me, and which teacher will communicate that best?