<p>I know that for most colleges, 2 recommendations from teachers are good. </p>
<p>However, what if I want someone else who is not a teacher to write a recommendation for me? </p>
<p>On most forms the Ivy colleges only ask for 2 letters and I am not sure if they will even read more than 2. </p>
<p>My guidance counselor told me that schools do not have the time to read 5 letters for every applicant, and if you send more than 2, colleges will only read 2, which may not even be your best letters.</p>
<p>If the college accepts supplementary recommendations, then send in the extra ones. Otherwise, stick to the amount specified by the college (if you send extras in despite what the college says, you might tick off the admissions committee).</p>
<p>This summer vacation, I was doing research at UMASS Medical School. I had never done this before, and I had just finished junior year so I had very basic knowledge of sciences (compared to the research that was doing done at UMASS) even with AP Chem and other honors sciences. </p>
<p>Therefore, I did have to undergo an entire learning experience to familiarize myself with the laboratory and techniques, etc. </p>
<p>So by getting a recommendation from someone who taught you, do you mean only from school?</p>