<p>Since my college is near my old High School, I decided to personally give the forms and envelopes to my guidance counselor. I also went to see my favorite teacher who wrote my recommendations last year. Were really close and met up a couple of times for a meal last summer so we have a good relationship. He said that he wanted to write recommendations for me as well, which I think is a good idea because he graduated from Northwestern and is also a professor at NYU right now, and Im applying to those schools (as well as UChicago and UPenn). </p>
<p>However, Im not sure if it would be appropriate as Im a college student right now. But then again, Im only a freshman and this is my second semester, and that teacher knows me a lot better than any of my college professors. So what do you think I should do? In any case, I already have recommendations from my college professors, so if he ends up writing one, it would be extra material and I wouldnt use it in lieu of a college recommendation. So what do you think I should do?</p>
<p>I say have him write it. Having the adcom look at one extra rec isn't such a big deal, I think...the objective, after all, is to present as clear and persuasive a picture of yourself as a candidate as you can. This rec sounds relevant (the professor knows you better, and went/taught at the schools), so I'd go ahead with it.</p>
<p>Many schools will accept - some will even welcome - an additional letter of rec. I would check to see if any of the schools on your list strongly discourage extra material. If so, use their website instructions or call them to determine if they would be annoyed by this rec. Otherwise, go for it.</p>
<p>NYU would strongly discourage you from sending more than they ask for...believe me - I pretty much got berated on the phone once for asking about stuff like that...</p>
<p>That's why I thought (and still think) about NYU too, but I called today to ask if there is a form my HS guidance counselor has to send, and he said no but my advisor in college is "should". I said that I didn't have an advisor and no one helped me pick my classes (1st sem classes were given to me), I also don't choose my major untill sophmore year so I don't have anyone, but I am sending 1 rec from a professor. He said it would be better for me if I send another rec. NYU is wierd and honestly, I don't think I want to go, but who knows. I also found it wierd that they don't ask for my dean to fill anything out (which all the other schools I'm applying to ask for), but I think there are some schools that don't ask for it either. Oh well. NYU is just very impersonal, especially compared with UChicago. Thanks for the help so far</p>