Securing a spot in a highly selective college is a strategic game, and even the choice of who writes your letters of recommendation is a move in this game. You might have a strong bond with your freshman-year Biology teacher or believe that your sophomore-year English teacher can craft a recommendation that dazzles admissions officers. However, it’s crucial to think strategically before making this decision and sending out requests for recommendations (which should be done in the spring of your junior year).

Your letters of recommendation should come from junior year teachers who taught you in a core subject (i.e., math, science, social studies, English, or a foreign language). Admissions officers don’t want to hear from someone who taught you in a secondary class like art or health many years ago. They want the freshest material possible from teachers who truly know you as a learner and person. If you’ve had the same core subject teacher for multiple years, including your junior year, ask this teacher for a recommendation. They will be able to speak to your successes over many years. But don’t even think about it if they haven’t taught you in your junior year!

How To Pick Which Teachers To Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Your letters of recommendation should come from junior year teachers who taught you in a core subject (i.e., math, science, social studies, English, or a foreign language). Admissions officers don’t want to hear from someone who taught you in a secondary class like art or health many years ago. They want the freshest material possible from teachers who truly know you as a learner and person. If you’ve had the same core subject teacher for multiple years, including your junior year, ask this teacher for a recommendation. They will be able to speak to your successes over many years. But don’t even think about it if they haven’t taught you in your junior year!

Also, don’t ask for recommendations from two teachers who taught you in the same subject. Diversify your recommendations with junior year teachers across subjects. If one of these teachers taught you in a course related to your intended major, that’s gravy but not necessary. And, ideally, only pick the teachers who saw you get an A!

Not only should you choose a teacher for whom you performed well academically, but also one with whom you have a positive rapport outside of the classroom. Maybe they’ve advised your student group. Maybe you assisted them with a special project after school. This way, they will have a more holistic picture of you.

Some students believe they should ask the teacher of the class they struggled in so that they may speak to their strong work ethic and academic transformation in the recommendation, but we would advise against doing so. Colleges want to admit students who excel at school — those who always have and always will! They don’t want to admit hard workers. This misconception is quite pervasive even though the most prestigious colleges in the country are filled each year with students who got their 4.0 with ease.

Is It True That English Teachers Write the Best Recommendations?

This is a hard pill for many students, but we at Ivy Coach are committed to telling it like it is about elite college admissions. English teachers don’t make for the best recommenders, but not for the reasons you might think. Will your English teacher likely write a glowing recommendation full of literary flourishes and beautiful prose? Probably! But is this what college admissions officers want to see? Probably not.

When it comes to letters of recommendation, the content of the letters is much more important than the quality of the writing. English teachers often take pride in their letters and write glowing praises of the student’s character. So what’s the problem? One glowing recommendation of character is typically no different from another. Admissions officers are tired of reading about the student who “inspires others to try their best” and “goes above and beyond to achieve.” In other words, English teachers usually write fluff pieces that appear bland at best or disingenuous at worst. 

This isn’t always the case. Students applying as humanities majors to elite colleges can still ask their junior-year English teachers for recommendations. But there is a way to do so while ensuring that the letter is filled with flattering specifics and not just general praise.

Ask for a Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher You Can Coach!

Most teachers want the best for their students. Most students, if they have done their homework, will wisely waive their FERPA rights, which means they won’t have access to what their teacher has written about them in the recommendation. So you want to choose the teacher who will more or less copy and paste what you tell them to say. It’s often the math and science teachers who are the most coachable. They write their letters over the summer months and fill them with what you give them. Unlike English teachers, they will more closely follow your lead.

But what should you tell your teacher to write in your letter of recommendation? We’re glad you asked. Ivy Coach will help you craft a set of compelling anecdotes about your time in their classroom. For instance, a specific project you excelled in, a challenging problem you helped solve, or a unique perspective you brought to a discussion. Bringing these anecdotes to your recommenders is crucial so they don’t end up penning a generic letter devoid of specifics. One of our former elite college admissions officers will work with your child to create a set of anecdotes that showcase your intellectual curiosity and make for a highly competitive letter of recommendation.

If you want to optimize your child’s odds of admission to a highly selective college via stellar letters of recommendation, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.