<p>Hi, everyone
I've got loads of extracurricular activities, but I heard that no colleges want my porfolio (even though I have pics, letters, etc. to prove that I really did those activities).
So I guess colleges just believe whatever I say on the application.. and I've decided to keep those to myself.
However, I think it'd be great if I can get letters of rec from the people I worked with...?
So I'm considering submitting additional letters of recommendation.
I've been homeschooled, and I heard it's not so bad for a homeschooler to submit additional letters. I have six people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for me.
Two of them are teachers who know me very well (and colleges require students to submit two teacher evaluations, so that's perfect), and four of them are very influential people with whom I've worked for months or years. I think I need to choose which one to ask for additional letters of rec.
How many additional letters of recommendation do you think I should submit considering my status as a homeschooler?</p>
<p>Colleges are academic institutions so they value what happens in the classroom – have your two teachers send in recommendations. But, don’t bother with the “influential people” recommendations as: (1) they will clutter the focus of your application, much like sending in all those extra EC certificates that colleges don’t want, (2) as a home schooled student you need teachers to address whether you are the type of student who always has their hand raised to contribute to the classroom conversation, or whether you are the shy kid that needs to be called upon, and (3) in general “influential people” recommendations tend to make applicants come across as entitled and privileged – something you never want an Admissions Officer to think.</p>
<p>The most important letter are the two (usual amount required) from academic teachers and from your GC. Sending extras are discouraged. It is smart to not bog them down with extra paperwork unless it really adds something meaningful. There is an old saying ‘the thicker the file, the thicker the student’, where thicker means stupid.</p>
<p>Six would be entirely excessive. Choose carefully and wisely the people who know your contributions/academics/talent well. College do not give a rat’s behind if the person is ‘influential’ unless it is a trustee of the college, so don’t consider that. Since you already have teachers, there is no need to go overboard and I’d select just one additional.</p>
<p>I think I forgot to mention that I don’t go to school at all, sorry. What I mean by “I am a homeschooler” was that I really was literally homeschooled and didn’t go to high school for my junior and senior years. I’m more of an unschooler with a GED. I once went to school but I turned to homeschooling since it was hard for me to go to school every day after I had a major surgery. And then I got a GED. With that said, I don’t have a GC.
The teachers I mentioned were the teachers I had when I attended high school. I’ve been working as their TA even if I don’t go to that school, so they’ll be talking about my TA work mostly (and will also mention I was a good student before I turned to homeschooling).
Since I don’t have a GC, I asked the admission people if they wanted additional letters, and they approved. I think. So I have two teachers and my mentor for a counselor letter and was planning on sending one more additional letter for my ec work.</p>
<p>Just to mention, I think there are parts you both seem to have misunderstood (please forgive me, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings).
@BrownParent I didn’t mean that I was planning on sending 6 letters. I was just asking how many letters would be appropriate…
@gibby@BrownParent I didn’t mean that I was planning on doing so because they’re influential. It’s true they’re influential and famous but they know me best along with the two teachers. I’ve rarely even thought of them as influential people. I was just saying it because they are, but it’s not the reason I was considering having them send rec letters for me. :)</p>
<p>Or is it still bad to send additional letters written by one of the people I worked with for my ec activities? Is it just bad to get one from “a person in high position” just because he/she helds high position even though I’m close to him/her? I’m just wondering if there’s anything against doing so among the admission officers since I don’t want to make a mistake you guys seem to know more than I do so I’d greatly appreciate if you could help me on this even if this is such a long post (sorry about that!!!). </p>
<p>What could the influential people say? Can they attest to your ability as a scholar? Can they write about your willingness to take intellectual risks or your leadership abilities? Or how your math/science/writing knowledge is better than your peers? That’s what colleges want to know. Or, are they basically going to say “I’ve known peanutbutterlol for a long time. Peanutbutterlol is a hard worker and a great kid and you should accept them.” That kind of recommendation is not really helpful to colleges who are trying to recruit the best and the brightest kids for their classrooms.</p>
<p>@gibby I see what you’re talking about. Thank you!
I’ve been their interpreter and they said they could talk about how they were amazed when they heard I had moved to the United States a bit more than 2 years ago, about my intellectual abilities, etc etc. The one thing I’m sure is it’ll be more than “I’ve known her for a long time and she is the best person I’ve known so I demand you to accept her.” (?!?!) I wanna be majored in English, so my ecs are all focused on language. Do you think it’d be bad???</p>
<p>It might help, but four extra recommendations is excessive and too much. Pick ONE out of the four and have them send in an additional recommendation. Keep in mind that Admissions Directors have about 10 to 12 minutes to read your complete file, which includes your transcript, course rigor, test scores, EC’s, teacher recommendations, essays and alumni interview – and they have to write an assessment about you in that time allotment as well. The more you submit, the more rushed they will be to get through your file. In the world of college apps,“less is more.”</p>
<p>I am not intimately familiar with successful home school application process. So only making what suggestions I can, take it or leave it on your own judgement or your GC judgement. Usually when you are homeschooled your parent or whoever was the adult responsible for your education would ask in the GC role. Have you done some reading or posting in the homeschool area here? It isn’t that active but I’m sure some of the existing posts would help you.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/home-schooling-college/”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/home-schooling-college/</a></p>
<p>I think that since you are homeschooled, your most important letters are going to address your academic preparation. Sure they can address extracurricular activity. Mostly you want people who did work with you closely, who can talk about your qualities as a student if possible, and address any talent you have, of course any comments about your character, commitment, how you interact with others, and such.</p>
<p>In your case it sounds like those teachers were from a long time ago so not as useful. And doing a TA not that helpful. So in your case maybe it is better to have a couple more letters and ones that address any activity you did deeply or for extended period of time. I don’t even know if both those teachers are necessary, if they were from 9th grade say. But at least it seems you have a partial transcript from before. In any case, I wouldn’t send over 4 letters, just off top of my head.</p>
<p>@gibby Thank you for your reply!! yes, of course, I don’t plan to send in all 6 letters. I’m sending four including two teacher letters, one GC letter, and one ec letter. :)</p>
<p>@BrownParent In fact I went to school until 6 months ago and they both were my AP teachers. They said they could talk about my TA work as well as how I was one of their top students before I turned to homeschooling. They’ll mention that I became a homeschooler because of the accident I had last year but they’re sure I will succeed in college. Does it sound good as teacher evaluations???</p>
<p>THANK YOU for all the links that you provided for me!! :)</p>
