<p>I've looked at the applications for Cornell, WashU, Johns Hopkins, Case Western, and MIT among others and there seems to be no mention of sending supplemental recommendations. Are they even accepted at those schools and if so, what is the correct way to submit them?</p>
<p>Use supplemental recommendations very sparingly. </p>
<p>A single supplemental recommendation that adds important information that the required recommendation(s) can't provide is sometimes O.K. (but may not be read or considered anyhow). Example: you worked as a research assistant in a university laboratory over the summer and your supervisor is going to write about your specific contributions. This should be sent as a letter (on letterhead of the organization) and include your name and social security number so it can be directed towards your file when received.</p>
<p>Sending in multiple supplemental recommendations from anyone and everyone who has ever known you or that just repeat what has been said elsewhere in your file can be deadly. There's supposedly a saying in admissions offices: "The thicker the file, the thicker the candidate."</p>
<p>Here's one:
[quote]
Every year we run an informal contest to see who has the most superflous recommendation. THis year's winner had 23 and he was denied.
[/quote]
and anotehr:
[quote]
One applicant with 1400 SAT send in letters from an archbishop, an illiterate scoutsmaster, and a man identifying himself as a former captain in the czar's Imperial Guard. No sales. This lad got As in courses he liked and Fs in those he didn't.