I have few regrets about how the college process went for my kids, but the most straightforward one is that we didn't prioritize "teachers who are likely to write excellent recommendation letters" when the kids were picking 11th grade classes. They had a few options for English/humanities classes, and I think would have benefited from thinking about that when choosing their courses.

Anonymous wrote:11th grade teacher is preferable IF they can write a good letter of recommendation.

I wouldn't worry about one humanities/one STEM. If you intend to major in science and can get great letters from science and math teachers, I wouldn't worry about not getting an English teacher.

This is for a humanities kid. Currently in 10th. ALL core teachers in 9th absolutely loved him. Right now in 10th, only one core teacher seems to be a super fan (none dislike -- straight A kid, participates meaningfully). He is hoping for a better group to choose form next year.

11th grade teacher is preferable IF they can write a good letter of recommendation.

I wouldn't worry about one humanities/one STEM. If you intend to major in science and can get great letters from science and math teachers, I wouldn't worry about not getting an English teacher.

Whoever knows your kid best and will write a better letter. You want someone who is going to write more than “great student, hard worker etc”

Anonymous wrote:Should it always be one math or science and one english or history? And is an 11th grade teacher always better than a 10th grade teacher? I assume 12th grade teachers will not know them well enough.

1 STEM and 1 Humanities teacher.

Make sure that you have 2 or 3 backups, because teachers quit, retire, move, become ill. Make sure that you write an email to them to request a meeting. Then ask the teachers in the meeting these questions -

- Will you be willing to give me a strong recommendation for college?
- What are any weakness that you think I should fix before college application process, so that you can give me a strong recommendation?
- What format would you like my brag-sheet to be in for the purpose of writing the recommendations.
- Since the recommendation is not due for another year, or semester, I would like to meet with you again to fill you in about my progress as well as take your feedback. Would this be convenient to you? What would be a good time to meet with you in the next x months? Would you like me to put something on the calendar?


Then...
- Send a thank you email
- Continue to send an email after every quarter...telling them of your progress
- Make a bragsheet and keep updating it frequently
- Also talk to your counselor too..

The one constant will be the school counselor, so your child must establish a relationship with them during the summer (they work 12 months) before they enter high school. Make sure that you and your child do their homework and take help to create a schedule of classes for all the 4 years.

You should send the very best letters even if it’s 10th grade and both STEM, unless the application specifies otherwise

Should it always be one math or science and one english or history? And is an 11th grade teacher always better than a 10th grade teacher? I assume 12th grade teachers will not know them well enough.