<p>S is applying to selective schools and has his two teachers for his LOR. His former piano teacher offered to write a supplemental LOR....mainly to show his musical side...which doesn't come across in any other part of the application. Although he no longer takes lessons, he is musically very gifted and she is offering to talk about it. (this isn't his passion.....so he isn't mentioning this side of him at all on the application.)
Do you think this is a good idea, or would it be looked upon unfavorably? Are supplemental LOR's written on a specific form if using the common app?
Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>I wouldn't bother with that LOR. If your son were sending in a supplementary CD for piano, if it were a major EC that he pursued passionately, then the extra letter is very supportive. Since you have said he isn't mentioning his music or piano at all, the letter means nothing. I would wonder, if I were an adcom, what the point was, without the corroborating evidence (ie, the activities and CD).</p>
<p>I agree with Allmusic. Top music students prepare CDs, and they also document their musical accomplishments in their activity resumes. Most don't send letters of rec from their teachers (unless the particular college requires that a rec accompany the CD -- some do). To provide a letter of rec without a CD will not help your son's application at all, IMO. Is he creating an activity resume? That would be an excellent place for him to include information about his piano activities.</p>
<p>I don't think it would be helpful because his being gifted in music won't probably matter to the college if your S isn't doing anything with his talent except perhaps playing to entertain himself.</p>
<p>It may not be necessary now, but you might want to keep that LOR on the back burner. A few years ago, our son was waitlisted at Grinnell. The admissions office told him that they would welcome any additional information to support his application. It was then that his piano teacher wrote a recommendation, for the same reason that d101parent mentioned: She was able to reveal a side of him that hadn’t been adequately covered elsewhere. (He was accepted.)</p>
<p>I can't imagine that a letter regarding his musical talent will matter since he is doing nothing with it at the current time, and doesn't plan to do anything with it when he goes to college. And you yourself say...it's not his passion. At this point, the way you describe it...it's something in the past.</p>
<p>Thanks all for your opinions. I think we will pass on the LOR. I'm going to suggest that he find a place on the application to mention it.....for relaxation, enjoyment, creativity....I'm sure he can work it in.
Thanks!!!</p>