<p>I didn't want to hijack a recent thread regarding supplemental recommendations, but my pastor wrote a wonderful rec for my D over the summer (albeit a year early since he mistakenly thought she was going to be a senior). In the case of schools that only request a guidance counselor and/or teacher rec, how would you submit a recommendation from a pastor/priest/rabbi or other faith-based teacher? Could it count as a teacher rec? It would be useful for my D since she plans on applying to a number of schools affiliated with our denomination...</p>
<p>For some schools in some denominations, I think it could carry some weight. Franciscan U used to require a pastor's recommendation (don't know if that's still true or not). I think there are some protestant denomination schools which require the same. For religious schools, I think it gives them some guarantee that the kid is attending because he wants to do so, not necessarily because his parents want him to do so.</p>
<p>This is not likely to be able to substitute for a teacher or guidance counselor recommendation (unless the pastor IS a teacher of your D's at school or unless the school expressly asks for this ). It would be in the category of a supplemental rec, similar to that you might get from an employer, coach or other person who can give an entirely different perspective about your D. As to how to submit - I'd probably give the pastor an preaddressed and stamped envelope to send directly to the school. If he's given it to you already, you can either mail it yourself or include it with the packet to be sent from your school if they will allow that.</p>
<p>There is usually a form that teachers fill out with their recs where they check off boxes regarding the student's maturity, motivation, etc. and how the student compares to others in the teacher's career. You can probably see a copy of the form if you look at the Common Application online. Schools not using the Common App will likely have their own version of this form. The form has room for the applicant's name and some other identifying info. I would have people writing supplemental recs fill out this form so it is clear what the letter is and whose file it belongs in. These forms and the rec should be sent directly to the school by the the writer of the rec.</p>
<p>Agree that the letter won't count as a primary rec unless pastor is also your D's teacher.</p>
<p>^^Our son was advised not to use the standard form with the check-off boxes when approaching the Supplemental recommender. Save that form for use by the 2 or 3 "Core Subject Academic" letters that the school requests of every applicant.</p>
<p>He was told instead (by the GC) to have the Supplemental Recommender write a letter on business letterhead or plain white paper, and splash the student's name and Social Security number across the top of their letter so it'd get filed correctly. Also write in large, prominent way: Supplemental Recommendation. </p>
<p>The idea is to keep it from becoming confused or misfiled as if it was one of the two requested Core Subject Academic letters of recommendation. IF that happens, it can appear the student wasn't responsive or following directions.</p>
<p>My own kids had two supplemental recs and so do all the students whom I advise. The supplemental recs are not from academic teachers (which would be more of the same) but from anyone who knows the student in a different capacity entirely.....in this case, a clergyperson would fit that description but so does a coach, an employer, a theater director, a club supervisor, someone from a summer program, etc. The suppplemental recs were not done on any of the official forms which are meant for ACADEMIC TEACHERS. Rather the supplemental recs are written on their own letterheads. Certainlly the writer could mark clearly at the top which applicant it is concerning. At our high school, ALL the recs (the two teacher recs, the two supplemental/optional recs and the guidance counselor report), were sent in one packet with the transcript and school profile from the HS. Others have all their recs arranged to be sent separately and directly from the writers. So, for the OP, this sounds like a great rec but it cannot substitute for the required academic teacher recs, nor the guidance counselor report....also required....but can serve as an optional supplemental rec that speaks to another side of your child compared to academic teachers.</p>
<p>I do not think that a clergy letter should take the place of a teacher's letter but I see no reason why it could not be included with the application IF the student has included meaningful church related activities in the application.</p>
<p>For instance our son was ordained as a Deacon in our church which recently been offering Elder/Deacon ordination for a one year term to a qualified hs senior. He included this on his application, included a letter from our Pastor and was awarded a $15k scholarship to a chruch affiliated college, The College of Wooster.</p>
<p>My babies' daddy IS the clergy. How we wish he could write their rec letters ;)</p>
<p>A few times each year, someone who's been active asks him to write one of these. Often it's the parent who thinks of clergy recommendation in the first place, but that's no problem. Kids don't automatically think of clergy, and it's not helicoptering to suggest it, IMHO.</p>
<p>My H always enjoys going to bat for a kid. He's never been asked to write one by any kid he didn't support, so was never in the awkward position of saying, "I don't think I could recommend you well; please ask someone else." </p>
<p>TIP: We did teach our bio-kids to ask ALL teachers or recommenders, not just, "Will you write me a letter of rec?" but instead, "Can you write me a positive letter of rec?" so they can back out and not do damage. </p>
<p>He's an excellent writer, as are most clergy, and tuned in to higher education, community leadership and many other themes. I hope he helped some students gain entry to their dream places! </p>
<p>He can also verify good character, personality and other matters that are nuanced and outside an academic framework. If someone spends a lot of unpaid time helping their family under special circumstances, he knows all about that and can paint a good picture. One example: an older brother of an autistic student. He had to spend scores of hours each month "babysitting" at home, which doesn't sound very hot on an application. </p>
<p>Were it not for the little brother, this big bro would have had much more time for EC's. If he went into it too much, it might have sounded like a pity party. So having the clergy rec helped represent that big brother's complete story. </p>
<p>My H is most often approached by nice kids with B averages, who don't dazzle teachers or win awards in a very competitive h.s. The academic superstars don't generally approach him. They have other fish to fry.</p>
<p>It's easier to write about a kid who's helped in church volunteer projects, social action/social justice weekends than just attending services. I get the impression that it doesn't impress an AdCom if you went to a CYO retreat once or twice. But if you are in a leadership role in a local youth group chapter of the church or temple, or help in the Sunday School, or lend a hand building a house for Habitat-for-Humanity, that's a talking point. If you simply are kind, decent, help shepherd the younger kids around at church picnics, and are part of the community, a good clergy notices all of this, and can attest to good values. </p>
<p>My only additional side-thought is that, since I know which kids are very active and which aren't, it troubles me to attend a scholarship award ceremony and hear the presenter express an exaggerated resume point about their religious youth group involvement, when I know otherwise. "Active" in church or temple youth group? I know they just dropped in for a few meetings in 9th grade, meanwhile others are putting in many hours organizing real projects as juniors and seniors. So I appreciate honesty in packaging. I keep these thoughts to myself.</p>
<p>Good luck on your clergy rec!</p>