<p>Last summer, I attended the Junior Statesmen Summer School at Yale (I'm heavily involved in JSA during the school year), where I took AP US Gov. My professor was an alumni of the University of Chicago and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a current professor of English in the undergraduate department at Harvard. I really stood out to him, and he offered to write me a letter of recommendation when I apply to Harvard. However, by the time that he would write the letter next year, he will no longer be at Harvard. Do you think that having him write the letter would be a good choice (Harvard prof, alumni, AP Gov teacher - important since Political Science will be my designated major), or will I be annoying the admissions office with an extra letter of rec?</p>
<p>If you think that this extra recommendation will provide a brand new and truly special point of view that reveals things about you as a person/student that your teacher recommendations do not, then send in the letter.</p>
<p>If you do decide to send in this letter of recommendation, I think it’s wise to limit your supplemental letters to just one.</p>
<p>I would definately have him write a letter> The fact that he offered indicated that he had a very positive impression of you as a young person outside of your normal school environment and I think that his opinion will have some meaning to Harvard Adcoms. When 29,000 qualified applicants are competing for 1600+ spots, use any advantage you have I guarantee others will! Good luck!</p>
<p>I definitely think letters of rec help - My sister did some work exp with our senator and got him to write a (glowing) letter of recommendation to Brown which the dean commented on in her acceptance letter</p>
<p>Most additional letters of rec definitely help. Reading through the admitted students page, most people had them. The rumor that they are somehow “annoying” is just that - a rumor. (Bearing they bring something new to the table).</p>
<p>The admissions officers say that, including counselor and teacher recs, they don’t want much more than five…so pick on or two special recommendations. Most people have them. Just…you know, if you send forty, they’re going to get annoyed because they’re pledged to read everything you send at least one time through.</p>
<p>Haha I’ve never even heard of five…most people have 3.</p>