I just returned from visiting Dartmouth and loved it. Interestingly, it was the only school I have seen so far that asks (strongly suggests) for a peer recommendation as part of the application. Just curious, who have some of you current / former Dartmouth applicants used? - classmates, non-school friends, etc. Any suggestions? Do you get to see them? (unlike teacher recs.) Thanks.
I’m a current applicant waiting to hear back on the 31st. I had my sibling write it. She is a current student there and knows me well, so I thought she would be a good choice. I didn’t read it, but I’m guessing she was able to thoroughly comment on the type of person I am and, knowing what type of students currently attend Dartmouth, might have mentioned how I would fit in and thrive.
They make it quite clear that it can be written by anyone, so I would suggest asking someone that knows you very well, maybe someone that knows you in a context outside of school if your other recommendations are primarily from your teachers. As with any recommendation, take it as a chance to show another side of you. My sister, for example, was probably able to write about characteristics that no one else has seen from me.
Thanks. Very helpful. Good luck!
I think I’ve posted this before, but God only knows when or which thread. D ('13) had asked a friend; He agreed but then didn’t carry through. [Was also applying but I’m sure that had nothing to do with it – apply sarcasm font.] Best friend [male] did it at the last minute. When I finally got to read it (long after the fact), it brought tears to my eyes. Seriously. He knew her very well and was able to talk about experiences I knew nothing about. [D was one to fight her own battles.] I don’t think the person having a connection to Dartmouth matters that much. [He had none.] What matters is that the person knows YOU and can speak about something meaningful s/he sees in you as a person. I don’t think it matters how much the person could talk about how you would fit at the college. S/he should talk about what s/he knows of you, and let the college make that decision. It’s a PEER recommendation. If I was in the admissions office, I would not be that impressed by how well another youth thinks the applicant would do; I would be more interested in what the person had to say about the applicant that would let me make that judgment. Whether the person shares the recommendation with you is up to him/her.