<p>I've studied clarinet for the past six years with the conductor of our city's symphony, and in that period of time, music has been a huge part of my life. I asked my teacher to write me a supplemental rec for Yale, thinking that because he is an alumni and because he knows me in a nonacademic context that this would add something to my application. However, I was looking over Yale's policy on supplemental recs earlier today and it seems like they pretty strongly discourage the submission of anything other than teacher recs. Do you think that it would be a bad idea to send this in or do you think that I should still submit this recommendation?</p>
<p>From what I've gathered the only time a supplementary recommendation would help you is if the person in question is going to say anything significantly different. So basically...is your personality any different outside of school than it is in? It'll probably be relatively similar, so even if he knows you in a different context I doubt the recommendation will be very different.</p>
<p>It's still your call there. I don't remember where I heard this once but Yale's admissions office feels everyone's entitled to one extra thing or something.</p>
<p>It also depends on your regional rep. Ask them at an info session or send an email.</p>
<p>My regional rep, for example, said that she "strongly discouraged" supplemental reccomendations from anyone but a scientific mentor. (I personally don't understand why research mentors are so preferable over a music coach-as music has also been a larger part of my life.... but that's what she insisted upon.</p>
<p>How did you find your regional reps? I couldn't find mine on the Yale website.</p>