Hey guys, I’m an international applicant applying this fall.
I’ve noticed that some schools such as UPenn and Harvard allow extra, non-school recommenders in addition to the school recommenders. The number also seems to vary, as UPenn allows 1 and Harvard allows 2 (and I’m certain the numbers vary from 1-3).
However, I have extensively worked, volunteered and researched in my HS years, so I’ve ended up with about 5 very good, unique, non-diluting recommendation letters about my personality, leadership skills etc.
What do I do know? My school is submitting all my certificates to each university I’m applying to via mail (probably FedEx) so I could send my letters that way too. However are the letters read if I just send them like that? Or should I assign the absolute best recommendation letters (1 and 2 for UPenn and Harvard respectively) and send in the rest with my certificates? I can also just skip the latter letters altogether, and just send in the best one’s (if you guys suggest so).
Is anyone familiar with said situation? Please help me out 
You do not need certificates sent to any university. Only send in the best 1 or 2 – no more. Just because your package is larger, does not mean anyone will take more time. Thus, they scan your papers rather than reading them thoroughly. Colleges’ experience tells them that more is not better.
@T26E4 Woah that is very new news to me. My school has been mailing all certificates of all students applying for years. How should I approach my counselor about this?
Don’t worry about it. The colleges don’t need them – but don’t upset your counselors. It won’t hurt you.
I have heard from people on CC and IRL that it is best to stick to the required amount, because most college admissions officers stick by the saying that a thick file is not necessarily a better file.
Hot damn, now that I think about it, it’s intuitive. They are looking for quality over quantity, after all. Will this affect my shot at getting in?
Oh last year someone from my school got into Cornell ED. He was a super smart kid though.