<p>I worked in a biology lab the past two summers on two different research projects and I asked my mentor to write a recommendation on my behalf. He was happy to do so and mailed copies to my schools back in November/December.</p>
<p>Every school except Yale received his recommendation (I called and checked), and I didn't get a heads-up from Yale until mid-February. I asked my mentor to mail another copy, and then to fax it to the admissions office. He said he would do so, but Yale still hadn't received a copy by the beginning of March, so I contacted my admissions officer directly, and she suggested he email it directly to her. I asked my mentor again, but as of today, Yale still has no letter and he seems to be out of the office.</p>
<p>Do you think this will negatively impact my chances? My admissions officer emailed me back and reassured me that it shouldn't, especially since the recommendation is optional. Additionally, she told me that they know I have tried multiple times to get them another copy. She was really nice about it, but I can't help feeling that I would've presented a stronger case for my interest in science if the rec was part of my file. I wrote a detailed description of my activities in the lab in the Additional Info section of the Common App. Opinions would be appreciated!</p>
<p>It shouldn’t hurt you. Your admissions officer clearly knows you’ve tried multiple times to get it to them. That in itself should show that you’re passionate about science and want them to see it. Also, the letter IS optional. Unless it adds some exceptional quality or dimension to your application it really won’t matter that much. Furthermore, you said you’ve given a detailed explanation of your lab work in the Common App. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much over this.
If you are still trying, does your school use something like Naviance for recommendation letters? My mentor faxed a signed copy of his letter to my counselor who uploaded it to Naviance. Then it got sent off with my regular teacher reccs, and that worked pretty well.</p>
<p>Okay thanks. I’m hoping the personal correspondence with my admissions officer will help a bit…I feel like she liked me over email, so maybe she’ll fight for me in committee (if a decision hasn’t been made already). :P</p>
<p>And thanks for the Naviance advice, but the biggest problem I think is getting my mentor to actually send the email, and if he’s out of town or whatever, I don’t think he’d get around to it the email, let alone faxing something.</p>
<p>Hadiram, Naviance doesn’t take additional recs, just for the two teacher ones and the counselor one. That was the problem that I had sending Yale my lab mentor’s rec as well. It’s a very inconvenient part of the process. </p>
<p>I agree with what Hadiram said, though. At this point, you’ve given it your all, so I’d say just keep your fingers crossed-you certainly would have made a good impression being so determined. Best of luck!</p>
<p>@fortydos, that’s interesting. I think what my school does is they add a teacher named “Supplemental Rec” and then submit the extra letter under that “teacher” name. That system has worked well for us over the past few years. Obviously, it’s probably too late now, but it may be something to suggest to your counselors for future years?</p>