<p>Did anyone who was accepted ED have a letter sent in from a parent, friend, relative, etc.? It doesn't seem like it could add much value to the app as it is an obviously biased opinion. What are your thoughts on this?</p>
<p>(for pratt) My only extra letter was sent in by my journalism teacher (not on an official teacher rec. form) which didn't count as an academic rec., but she'd known me for 4 years and was probably my best recommendation. I would do it if they have something different to say about you than your official recs did or any other parent would say about their child. I think they only really hold weight when they show something unique and especially if you're on the edge between getting in or not...sort of like how the interview counts.</p>
<p>(trinity) I feel that as long as it may add an additional dimension to your application, any letter will do. I personally didn't send one in because I felt that my essays and recs would represent "me" accurately. So....I'd only send in the additional letter if it addresses a new aspect or dimension of yourself or if it addresses a personal circumstance that may not have been included in essays or recs. I'm sure the admins wouldn't want to read another "My son/daughter's the greatest son/daughter in the world" letter. Hope that helps...</p>
<p>(trinity) The rep that came to my school told me that if you have an alumni or duke employee connection to use it in this section of the application. My dad is an alumnus, so I had him write mine. PS: I got accepted :)</p>
<p>(trinity) I had my theater director write me the supplimental rec because I felt like since she knows me really well (spending hours after school plus class time for the last 3 years definitely goes beyond teacher-student normal relationships) it definitely helped me. If it's your parent just be sure that it will ADD to your app instead of just repeating what everyone else says (althought thats good too, it adds credibility)</p>
<p>My brother is at Duke and he wrote a letter saying how he saw I would fit into the campus and what I could contribute. It was sincere, and funny in places, and I thought that it added a perspective to the appliction that no teacher or counselor could contribute. Teachers write about your contribution to classes, counselors write about what you contrbute to the school, your transcript shows how you will stack up academically, you add about your ecs and try to give them some personality, the interview shows you don't chop up small animals and carry them around in boxes...the additional letter is just for someone to say you are a good person and what you can bring to the community as that person. If there isn't someone that can do that, or there is nothing additional to say, I would skip it.</p>
<p>sorry...someone 'who' can do that</p>
<p>I read somewhere that a student who got in last year had a young girl (6/7 I believe) write a few sentences on how he always brought a smile to her face when he volunteered at that particular organization. I don't remember the details, but it had a very unique perspective. The letter was short, cute, honest, and apparently, effective.</p>