Questions about Recommendations

Applying to College
1

<p>S is a top student in a top school. Dilemma is, both former principal and current principal have offered to write recs for him (to supplement GC rec, not teacher recs). Former princ is still in district, not school, knows S for 3+ years and is known to write excellent recs. Current P knows S since last year (knows him well) and is very well connected - rec could potentially carry some weight, but we don't know quality of written recs. S is torn - school's policy is to only include one. </p>

<p>In addition, a teacher who has never had him in class, has offered to write rec attesting to leadership qualities, but S already has 2 very solid teacher recs. Does he accept this extra rec, but only send to schools that have not specifically said they won't read any more than required recs? I suppose this is a good dilemma to be in, but it's hard to turn down these offers. Any thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Reading Yale’s admissions site, they want teachers from rigorous academic courses to write recs. While the principals’ opinions are fine, I don’t see how they could pass any info along about your son’s academic prowess – character yes but not in class performance. They should only be seen as supplemental to the teacher recs. I know of no school that asks for a non-teacher rec. Some do accept them as supplements though.</p>

<p>Even submitted, it may well be the least important one.</p>

<p>As for the offer from the current teacher, a very gracious decline is all that is needed.</p>

3

<p>The principal rec would not replace the teachers’ recs - they would replace or add to the guidance counselor’s rec.</p>