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@arielUC25
100 answers, 217 votes
 • 5 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Is it okay to ask a music teacher for my letter of recommendation?
Answered

I have know my music teacher for the past 4 years (and am taking both his music classes for another consecutive year), and have grown a lot in his class. I would like to know whether I should ask him for a letter over an english or history teacher.

rec-letters
1
5
[🎤 AUTHOR]@arielUC255 years ago

Other helpful info:

Major: Engineering Physics/Applied Physics

Will be asking former chem teacher for other recommendation.

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2 answers

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Accepted Answer
@carlsaganrocks
expert
70 answers, 63 votes
 • 5 years ago

A lot of schools, especially competitive ones, will write in their application that they require recommendations from core subject teachers (english, math, science, social studies). For those schools, you definitely can't get a rec from a music teacher (I'd say unless you were actually going to study music, that might be an exception). Especially if you're a hard science/engineering major, it might even be best to get both letters from math and science teachers if you can, and I'd probably lean against asking your music teacher unless music going to be a really substantial part of your application.

1
[🎤 AUTHOR]@arielUC255 years ago

If it is half my extracurriculars and I have an interest in a dual degree/minor could I include it?

@carlsaganrocks
expert
5 years ago

If a) the school doesn't explicitly require core subject teachers and b) you're applying directly into a dual degree program, then I'd say yes. But if they require core subject teachers then it's 100% no. If you're only considering minoring, which doesn't go on your application in any spot really, I'd lean against it.

1
@DebaterMAX
899 answers, 740 votes
 • 5 years ago

Its a bit of a catch 22 but if at all possible I would submit 2 rec if its allowed.

however if its not allowed Id say okay becuase of your extended interaction with him.

In my case Im asking my debate coach who i had for one semester (am a sophmore) for letters for summer workshops but becuase i have a rapport with him he knows me the best so Id say go for it!

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