<p>Hi there, cc-ers! I have a quick question concerning recommendations. </p>
<p>I am currently sending four recommendations to my colleges. I realize that this is a little much in most circumstances, however, they all vary: one is from the chair of my English department who will discuss my commitment to the literary magazine/his AP Language Composition class/how I won an award out of my entire grade, one is from my Latin teacher who will discuss how I skipped a year of Latin and how I am still performing exceptionally well, one is from my school counselor who will discuss my upward trend throughout my classes, and the last one is a personal letter from an extracurricular activity that could not be clarified well in my Commonapp.</p>
<p>Now, my question is, would it be too much to add a recommendation from my AP Studio Art teacher on top of that? I'm a little nervous that the ad. com will stay true to this rumored belief that, "the thicker the file, the thicker the applicant." However, I am mainly applying to liberal arts colleges that have very "holistic" application processes, so it could very well be the case that they like multiple recommendations. </p>
<p>Perhaps I should call the schools directly and ask?</p>
<p>In my opinion, 4 recommendations is already pushing it. I’m sure that the adcoms would read them all (though I don’t know what impression they’ll have after reading so many recommendations) if they have the time. 5 just seems like too many. Are you sure that the other recommendations would truly add dimensions to your app that you yourself couldn’t explain anywhere else?</p>
<p>I think it is too much. Most schools want two (plus the GC rec), and will take the third extracurricular one. These ad coms are reading thousands of applications. I suspect they cringe at a lot of extra paper beyond what they actually request. If your grades, portfolio, test scores, and four recommendations already submitted don’t tell your story, then this is not going to help. And could just annoy. I would skip it.</p>
<p>Two letters from teachers of core subjects and 1 from the guidance counselor is the norm required at most schools. Is the 4th letter from the art teacher? If you are submitting a portfolio and/or majoring in art, then send it. Otherwise, it’s unnecessary. If the art teacher’s letter is a 5th letter, then that is too many.</p>
<p>Ah, thank goodness I asked I’ll refrain from sending the extra material. Thanks again.</p>
<p>And the fourth letter is from my “boss” -I work as a classroom assistant/occasional substitute teacher at my synagogue in an arts class and an ethics class. It was initially volunteer, but they started paying me last year. It also describes a trip I took when I was elected to lobby my essay in D.C. So no, not art related, but I am interested in taking art classes all through college in order to pick up a minor.</p>
<p>If you have work that is worthwhile to submit at a portfolio (“art supplement”), that might be a better choice than an AP Studio Art teacher recommendation. My D also wants to minor in Studio Art, but has been hesitant to submit a portfolio (I think she has a few pieces worthy of showing them, but it is her decision). Usually you can just upload a photograph of your work; look at the school websites to see what they require. You might as your art teacher’s opinion on whether any of your work is worth doing this with. A small, high quality portfolio is probably better than an extensive one with lower quality (that old quality vs. quantity thing again ). Since you want to minor (not major), they are probably fine with a small volume of examples.</p>
<p>Okay, on that note, I have another question! (Thanks for your advice, everyone, this is beyond helpful.) As I do intend to submit my portfolio, for schools that require the Commonapp Art Supplement, they want an art teacher recommendation, which forces five recommendations. Is it possible to call schools and ask if they can shred a recommendation? (I would ask them to take out my extracurricular recommendation.)</p>
<p>Ah… well. If the school is actually requesting that specific additional recommendation because of the art supplement, that does change the picture. </p>
<p>By the way, I really think you are getting four recommendations. No one really counts the GC recommendation, since everyone has that (it just is almost like a separate item, not one of your recommendation letters). If you have already uploaded the other letters, then I guess I would go ahead and just add the art recommendation after all if it is required. I would not ask them to get rid of any. </p>
<p>So you have two core academic teachers, one extracurricular, and the one going with the art supplement. Since they asked for it, I would say go ahead with it after all. But if any school does not require the extra art teacher recommendation, then don’t send it.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for clearing this up, I truly appreciate it. (And my well meant parents initially wanted me to send SEVEN recommendations…they’re in for a wake up call to say the least.)</p>
I’ll refrain from sending the extra material. Thanks again.</p>