Hey guys, I'm planning to apply to Harvard and I'm curious about who would be the best person to ask for a reference letter? Should I ask teachers from more than one subject or stick to those related to my intended major?
It's essential to have strong and relevant recommendation letters when applying to a competitive school like Harvard. Here's some advice on selecting the right people for your reference letters:
1. Prioritize teachers who know you well: Admissions officers value letters from teachers who can provide detailed examples and meaningful insights about your strengths, abilities, and character. These teachers should be able to speak to your intellectual curiosity, grit, and collaboration skills, among other qualities.
2. Select teachers from your junior or senior year: Harvard typically prefers recommendation letters from your junior or senior year teachers, as they can comment on your most recent academic performance and your growth during high school.
3. Include teachers from different subjects: Ideally, you should have a mix of teachers from different subjects. Having letters from teachers in both STEM and humanities subjects will give a more balanced picture of your capabilities. However, if you have a specific intended major and strong performance in related subjects, it's a good idea to have at least one letter from a teacher in that field.
4. Consider non-academic recommenders if appropriate: While teacher recommendations are crucial, you can also consider non-academic recommenders, such as coaches or club advisors, if they can provide valuable insights into your leadership, initiative, and other qualities. Make sure to review Harvard's guidelines on supplemental recommendations before submitting additional letters.
In summary, choose recommenders who know you well, can speak to your academic achievements and personal strengths, and cover multiple aspects of your high school experience. A combination of teacher recommendations from different subject areas, along with any relevant non-academic recommendations, will help give the admissions committee a comprehensive view of your abilities and potential.
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