<p>As I am doing my app, it came to my mind that since everyone pretty much are going have very similar recs, are recs still that important?</p>
<p>Yes. Recommendations provide the only part of your application that portray you through somebody else's eyes. Everything else is your own representation of yourself.</p>
<p>I wonder if they read the recs at all.</p>
<p>I don't think recs matter as much as everyone thinks. I mean, there aren't a lot of teachers willing to be completely honest. :o</p>
<p>My guidance counselor went to some big important conference and came back with the info that the most important thing is grades, then teacher recs... and ec's are somewhere near the bottom. I highly, highly doubt that's true for HYPSM, though.</p>
<p>I think that if the teachers say the standard "Student X is a pleasure to have in class :)" type of thing, the recs don't really matter that much - doesn't help, doesn't hurt, you know? If a teacher writes a really negative rec or something, though, it's got to hurt you a lot. </p>
<p>Then again, if you have a teacher who really knows you and writes a truly awesome, personal rec for you, I think that's worth something - how much depends on the school.</p>
<p>A good rec alone will not get you in, but a bad or luke warm rec alone will sure keep you out.</p>
<p>If you don't think they are important, go ahead and don't send any in. See how far you get.</p>