<p>I'm wondering how to choose between two recommendations (that I have been given by my teachers asking for me to read them) for the following colleges that required only one:</p>
<p>Georgetown
George Washington
Tufts
University of Virginia
College of William and Mary (and St. Andrews duel degree)</p>
<p>The other question I have is, with two diverse letters, will any of these colleges actually not frown up me sending one more letter?</p>
<p>Letter A: Finest student 27 years in teaching. Talks about leadership at the school in starting independent study AP groups for social science/history (I plan to be a Political Science major). Well rounded paragraph involving leadership at various organizations and activities centered around the school, particularly cross country.</p>
<p>Letter B: Most motivated and gifted student since teaching. Anecdotes about self-motivated rigor in AP Lang (though the are not extraordinary reactions). Open to criticism, great in discussions. Befriended who was "not as academic or industrious" and helped said student accomplish more. Paragraph on AP study groups and past test I took on my own. Paragraph on involvement and leadership in music.</p>
<p>Alright I'll throw in the underdog
Letter C: Distinguished students. Half paragraph on general he's great in class statements then shift to surprise about my "incisive humor" with anecdote that ties into passions (politics, musicals, music). Concluding paragraph on unique, more than book smart. </p>
<p>I'm thinking letter B is the strongest, although letter A is extremely solid and covers everything in a page (B is a page and a half). Your thoughts?</p>
<p>One thing we noticed is that although the admissions websites for some schools state that they need one, when you actually look at the Common App for that school, you can see that they will accept more 2, 3, even 6 in one case. So you may be able to submit A & B without concern. I personally think it is overboard to submit too many. Unless an extra letter adds something really special, my kids have not pursued that course. An example where they did was that D2’s academic team coach (she is their top player) graduated from the college that is her top choice to attend. So (1) he knows her really well and thinks highly of her, and (2) he has something specific to say about how she would fit into that school’s environment.</p>
<p>Also… I do not consider your A & B to be “diverse letters” given that both are on the English/social sciences side. Diverse letters would be from your English and Calculus teachers, for example. But I would still submit both of them, as they sound like they are very strong.</p>
<p>Thank you for the insight! I was considering diversity more character and extra curricular mentions. I only asked social science/english teachers, so there wouldn’t be that math type option from the other side.</p>
<p>Yes… another thing to consider is that you have clearly read the letters. I have heard that colleges know if you have chosen to review the letters or not. And they give less weight to a letter you have reviewed because the recommender is less likely to give any negative info and will paint a rosier picture because you will be reading it. I have no actual evidence, just have heard this (on CC) from other parents. So our kids have chosen not to review the letters (and have no idea what they say). Again, something you have already made a decision on, but a consideration for other posters who may read this thread.</p>
<p>If your college(s) are Common App, then on the CA you have to check (or chosse not to check) a box next to a statement saying basically that you waive the right to see any of your letters. With Common App, the teachers whom you invite to be your recommenders are sent an e-mail and are sent your choice to waive or not. So did you check that box, saying that you waived the right (so the colleges will think that you didn’t see the letters)? If so, did your teachers just show you their letters anyway, even knowing that you checked the box, essentially telling the colleges that you would not look at the letters? My son waived his right; his counselor (and people on CC) suggested that he do so. In his school the teachers do not show the letters. I had, however, wondered if teachers in some other schools do show the student their letters, even if the student waived his/her right to see them…</p>
<p>Here is the FERPA wording from the CA Teacher Evaluation form:</p>
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</p>
<p>Note that the waiver is for viewing forms/LORs after matriculation to the college. You are waiving your rights to see the information that has been submitted to the college, this is different from HS teachers/GCs showing you the LOR they are submitting.</p>