Georgetown LoR NOT from Teacher?

<p>Okay on part 3 of Georgetown it asks for a Teacher's Letter of Reccomendation, and 1 optional LoR also from a teacher. I interned for a first term member of Congress and I was the only high school student interning in her office. The letter is really personalized about me, outlines all of the work I did in her office, and duties that were specifically assigned to me. I keep reading on forums that letters from congress members are worthless...Plus if i wanted to send it in, would I just fill in the info under teacher's report optional?.... I don't know what to do, please help!</p>

<p>Why colleges prefer teacher LORs is because they expect the writer to be able to highlight distinguishing features of your curiosity, initiative and status among your peers. An employer does not run a classroom nor gives scholarly assignments. That being said, as the optional LOR, it might be helpful. The prob is that you were a HS intern – not her student.</p>

<p>Unless this letter shows significant insight into you as a person and a student, and especially in comparison to your peers, its not going to help you. It won’t hurt…but it won’t help. And it’s not a teacher’s report, so no, it doesn’t go there. </p>

<p>There’s no reason not to send in an extra letter from someone who is in a unique position to provide insight into who you are in a way that teachers can’t - a coach, a member of the clergy, an employer - but recs that are from ‘prestige’ people who can’t provide that insight are indeed worthless.</p>

<p>Keep the letter for when you need a reference for a future job or internship. That’s when it will come in handy.</p>

<p>Admissions reps are not impressed by fancy letterheads - but if it’s a genuinely good letter that’s very specific to you, then definitely send it.</p>

<p>I’m a current freshman at Georgetown.</p>

<p>I sent two excellent letters from teachers plus an additional letter from a gubernatorial nominee who had a very personalized letter about me which highlighted the centerpiece of my application which was involvement in political campaigns.</p>

<p>If the letter is very focused on your qualities definitely send it as it will do more good than the damage of sending an extra letter (which is damaging). But if its simply a generic letter don’t send it. Admissions wants to know about you, you’ve already told them you interned for a congressman I’m sure so unless the letter brings out a new quality or sheds a new light on you, they’ve already gotten everything they needed to know.</p>