<p>Someone recently told me that Davidson College requires peer recommendations as part of its application. I had not heard anyone mention their child needing to get a peer recommendation from a friend, but it reminded me that back when I was applying to colleges (in the Mezazoic Era), my best friend asked me for a peer rec -- I think maybe for Bowdoin?</p>
<p>Anyway, I know that kids today are under a lot more pressure and apply to a lot more schools than in my time. I would imagine that the last thing any of them needs is another thing on their "to-do" list, although they would want to help out a friend. I think many kids would feel bad asking a friend to write something for them when they were up to their ears in their own applications.</p>
<p>Anyone have a kid who had to ask a friend for a peer rec, or who was asked to do one? Did they find it a burden? And is this a common requirement?</p>
<p>S is applying to Davidson and I don’t believe a peer rec is required. One is required for Dartmouth (if I am keeping them all straight ). S is asking a friend who’s apps are not due until February so it is adding no stress. I do agree that times have changed and it could be too much. From what I can tell it does not seem that common.</p>
<p>Dartmouth College requires this as well as their only supplement item. My son asked a good friend who is a high school junior. He was considering not applying to Dartmouth just because of this- he didn’t want to burden his friends who were in the midst of getting their own applications done. But it turned out this particular friend was someone he hadn’t considered at first, but will turn out to be a good choice. Waiting to hear from ED1 school first, though.</p>
<p>It was a big hassle for my daughter when she applied to Dartmouth. She spent a lot of time trying to find the friend who would be best at writing a rec. and had time and was willing. Good friends find it a burden because they want it to be done well. Hell, I’ve been asked to write recommendations for 4 kids and I broke out in a sweat! I’m not a fan of this approach.</p>
<p>DS was asked to provide a peer rec for a Dartmouth app. It has been hanging on refrigerator for 4 weeks and his friend’s mom calls weekly to see if “we” have mailed it in. I have repeated time and again that it will be completed when DS’s own apps are completed…probably on December 31st.</p>
<p>I really dislike peer recs. Just adds another layer of stress for everyone.</p>
<p>rom828–Davidson also requires a peer recommendation.</p>
<p>My daughter asked a friend who was a senior to write her peer recommendation. Some time later, the friend said she didn’t have time to do it. As a result, my daughter asked a junior, who wrote it in a few days and, while I didn’t see it, I’m certain did an excellent job.</p>
<p>D1- 6 years ago (darmouth app) asked a best friend and no problem (got a copy and used it for another college (cannot remember which one), and D2 (darmoutb and davidson) past year also asked a best friend without problems- both were very verbal and good writers- they asked early and asked the letters to be generic so they could use them again.</p>
<p>I believe Davidson does require a peer recommendation. DD needed one when she applied there. She also needed one for the Peace Corps (not required but it was one of the choices and one she chose). She had no trouble finding good and reliable peers to write these recommendations. One of the scholarships DD applied for required a parent recommendation. That was tough! :)</p>
<p>DS wrote one for a classmate who was applying to Dartmouth. It was very well-written and did a great job of capturing the applicant’s spirit. I think it was better written than some of the essays for his own applications. </p>
<p>Of course, I (but not my son) felt an obligation to make sure it was received by the Dartmouth admissions office. Good thing I called because it hadn’t been received, so I (not my son) faxed it to them. I’m sure the original was lying in a bucket of mail, but I didn’t want someone else’s child’s chances diminished.</p>
<p>DS wrote a peer rec for a very good friend for Brown, Duke, and Harvard. I’m not sure if it was required or optional for the three colleges, but they all requested one. DS is a good and quick writer, and was happy to do it. It was not really stressful because he had already been accepted by his ED school, and so did not have the pressure of his own apps at the same time. If he also had to do his own apps, though, I think it could have been stressful.</p>
<p>I thought it was kind of weird, and in fact had never heard of peer recs until DS was asked to write one. But after reading what he wrote, I could see how it gave a more personal view of the applicant. It was more about the friend’s personality and spirit. I like to think it might have helped the friend, who is now a junior at Harvard.</p>
<p>I agree that it adds to the stress of the writer, which is why D got her older sister to write one for her when she applied to Dartmouth. It was a lovely letter–one that will be kept forever.</p>
). S is asking a friend who’s apps are not due until February so it is adding no stress. I do agree that times have changed and it could be too much. From what I can tell it does not seem that common.</p>