How many teacher recommendations do I need for college applications?

Most colleges ask for two teacher recommendations, but some schools might only want one. A few will happily take three if you are feeling extra, but unless a college specifically says “send us more,” stick to two. Quality beats quantity every time. Admissions officers are looking for thoughtful insights, not a pile of repetitive letters that all say “great student, nice kid.” Make sure at least one of your recommenders teaches a core subject like English, math, science, or history. If you are applying through the Common App, you will usually see the exact number required listed in the application portal. Check each school’s requirements carefully so you do not end up under-recommending or overloading the poor admissions team.