Prof Recommendation-- can it HURT?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>I have a supplementary recommendation from a Harvard professor (I took his class, and he offered to write one. It was very strong) and I sent it to Yale. Was that an unwise decision? </p>

<p>I wanted to show that I was capable of collegiate work and since I live close to Cambridge, I went there. I absolutely love Yale, but would this prevent my acceptance? Is it worth explaining to the admissions office or do you think they would understand? </p>

<p>Finally, and probably most importantly at this stage, should I send this recommendation to other schools of the same or different caliber? Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>yes, that was a terrible decision. you should’ve been more tactful.</p>

3

<p>^ I disagree. The recommendation should help you at Yale and I advise sending it to other schools.</p>

4

<p>felix is trying to discourage you (a good strategy, might I add). It cannot hurt in the least. Go for it.</p>

5

<p>well I know my interview had a huge hatred of Harvard… he really seemed to dislike it… but maybe the admissions crew won’t care so much</p>

6

<p>You got a strong recommendation from a professor at one of the top schools in the world. I can’t see how that would hurt. Send it to other schools too.</p>

7

<p>It won’t hurt.</p>

<p>That “huge hatred of Harvard” shown by an interviewer shouldn’t be taken seriously. Pretending to hate Harvard is a Yale tradition.</p>

8

<p>It could hurt. If other schools feel that you are more likely to matriculate at Harvard than at another school, (perhaps because you already have a close relationship with one of our professors), they will be more likely to move you to the waitlist or reject you outright. Anecdotally, Princeton is notorious for doing this.</p>

<p>Are you applying to Harvard, by the way?</p>

9

<p>I think at just about every other school, sending this extra recommendation is a no-brainer.</p>

<p>However, Yale does clearly state that they only want additional recs if it shows the applicant in a different light and if the recommender knows the kid in a different setting.</p>

<p>I do not think Yale would reject you at all for sending the letter, but I do believe this extra letter probably just restates what has already been said in other recs (or at least doesn’t add too many new details). If you had done research with the prof that is one thing, but in this case you just took a class of his.</p>

10

<p>It won’t hurt you, but as ccuser18 explained, it may not help you much either. Regardless, there is no way you will be rejected because you sent a Harvard rec to Yale. The rivalry extends only so far to athletics.</p>

11

<p>This probably wasn’t the BEST choice, but I understand why you did it. I’m sure you’ll be fine!</p>

12

<p>^But there is no downside * whatsoever * that it came from Harvard. That’s bologna.</p>

13

<p>DUH! I would be so happy if I had what the OP had! Haha, I would just be apprehensive about showing to Yale due to my own neuroticism.</p>

14

<p>Thanks everyone!! I wish you were collectively my guidance counselor :slight_smile: </p>

<p>And he read me part of it, so I made sure it shed new light on my academic ability before deciding to send it. I don’t have any truly noteworthy national awards, you see, and I felt that he’d be able to compare me to other students he has had and to put things in perspective for the admissions office.</p>