Who should be approached for a letter of recommendation?

I need to start thinking about who to ask for my recommendation letters. Should I approach teachers whose classes I excelled in, or a coach from extracurricular activities? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

When it comes to letters of recommendation, you'll want a balance that showcases your academic abilities, personal strengths, and any special skills or attributes you possess. Here's a suggested approach:

1. Academic Recommender: Select a teacher from your junior or senior year who has taught you in an academic class where you performed well. It's crucial that this teacher knows you well enough to speak about your personality, work ethic, and academic strengths. It's preferable if the class aligns with your intended major, but it is not strictly necessary.

2. Another Teacher or Relevant Adult: For the second letter, you can either choose another academic teacher or a relevant adult who knows you well. This can be a teacher who can speak to other qualities or strengths not covered in your first letter. Alternatively, it can be a coach or club advisor who can speak to your teamwork, leadership ability, or commitment to an activity you are passionate about.

3. Counselor: Most colleges will expect a counselor recommendation as well. They write about you from an overall high school perspective, discussing your academic progression, personal growth, and contributions to the school community.

4. Additional Recommenders: Some applicants may choose to have an additional recommender if their school allows it. This can be someone who knows you from an outside activity, like a work supervisor, mentor or coach, who can share different aspects of your personality, interests and growth.

Just remember, don't choose someone simply based on their title - the quality of the relationship and their ability to speak in depth about your qualities are more important. Plan ahead and ask well in advance of deadlines, giving your recommenders enough time to write a thoughtful letter. Make sure to express your gratitude for their time and input. Good luck with your application process!