Stanford letters of recommendation for undergraduates

I'm working on my Stanford application and trying to figure out who to ask for letters of recommendation. What are the requirements for undergraduate letters of recommendation at Stanford, and do you have any suggestions on which types of teachers or mentors to ask for the best results?

Stanford University requires two letters of recommendation for undergraduate applicants. These letters should come from two different teachers who have taught you in high school academic subjects, ideally in your junior or senior year. The purpose of these letters is to provide a deeper insight into your academic performance, intellectual curiosity, character, and personal qualities.

Here are a few suggestions to help you choose the right teachers or mentors for your letters of recommendation:

1. Strong relationship: Choose teachers with whom you have a strong and positive relationship. They should know you well, both academically and personally, and be able to speak about your growth, interests, and accomplishments in a specific and detailed manner.

2. Relevant subjects: If you have a particular academic interest or a potential major in mind, it's helpful to have recommendations from teachers in those subject areas. For example, if you're interested in studying engineering, a letter from a math or science teacher might carry more weight.

3. Demonstrated success: You might consider choosing teachers in courses where you have particularly excelled or faced challenges and demonstrated improvement. This can help showcase your resilience and dedication to learning in those specific subjects.

4. Extracurricular involvement: If you're involved in academic-related extracurricular activities (such as a Science Olympiad or Debate team), a letter from a mentor or coach who has worked closely with you in these contexts could potentially add a valuable perspective, showing your passion and commitment beyond the classroom.

5. Personal connection: A teacher or mentor that you have a personal connection with and who you respect and admire could produce a very compelling recommendation letter.

Keep in mind that the goal of your letters of recommendation is to provide the admissions committee with a well-rounded picture of you as a student and individual. Choose recommenders who can highlight different aspects of your academic, personal, and extracurricular accomplishments and enthusiastically endorse your candidacy for admission.

Don't forget to give your selected teachers or mentors adequate notice and time (at least 3-4 weeks) to write a thoughtful and comprehensive recommendation. Providing them with a "brag sheet" or list of your achievements, goals, and involvements can help them craft a more personalized and detailed letter.