How to pick the right teacher reference in 2020

In typical years, the best strategy for picking a teacher reference is to focus on those you’ve worked with in your upper-class years when the work is more rigorous. It is also preferable to ask a teacher in a field of study in which you perform strongly, and in a subject that is described elsewhere on your application as a possible major in college. That will help reassure the admissions readers that your teachers believe you have the tools to be successful in that academic area in college. And, of course, you want to pick someone who knows you well and who will write something glowing.

The pandemic of 2020 has changed this formula slightly. Yes, being certain you’ll get a positive recommendation is key and it is still important to include an upper-class teacher. But with so many students forced to take courses virtually for the second half of 11th grade and the first half of 12th grade, the nature of instruction has changed. And, therefore, how you perform in the classroom has changed.

We all hope the pandemic will ease and that traditional, in-person learning will resume. Colleges want as much information as possible to predict future success. In the future, returning to the classroom is likely. So consider having at least one reference be from a teacher who taught you in person, even if that was earlier in high school.

But since it is entirely possible, and indeed likely, that some form of virtual learning will continue, also pick a teacher who has seen you handle work in an on-line learning environment. These teachers will speak not only to your conscientiousness in the face of a new teaching modality but will provide evidence that you can adapt with the times and have the resiliency that college admissions officers prize.

Ultimately, colleges will want to know you can thrive in both settings, so consider having some variety in your teacher references this year.