Columbia University Letters of Recommendation?

Hi! I'm applying to Columbia University and I have a question about their letters of recommendation guidelines. How many do they require and who should they come from? Teachers? Counselors? Anyone else? Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

Columbia University requires a total of three letters of recommendation for your application. Here's a breakdown of who should write these letters:

1. Counselor Recommendation: This letter should come from your school counselor or another appropriate school official who can provide insight into your academic and personal abilities, school involvement, and overall potential.

2. Teacher Recommendations (2): You'll need two letters from teachers in different academic subjects. These should primarily be from teachers of core subjects (such as English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language). These teachers should have taught you during the final three years of high school and be able to speak to your academic abilities, engagement in class, and contributions to the learning environment.

It's important to choose teachers who know you well and can provide specific examples and anecdotes about your work and character. Building strong relationships with those writing your recommendations can make a significant difference in the quality and content of the letters.

If you feel there's an additional recommender who can offer a unique perspective on your application, Columbia will accept supplementary letters as well. These could come from a coach, club advisor, or mentor, for example. However, keep in mind that submitting too many supplementary letters might dilute the impact of your required recommendations, so it's best to be selective and thoughtful in this decision.

Lastly, be sure to give your recommenders ample time to write strong, detailed recommendations—ideally, at least a month before the submission deadline.