Supplementary Recommendation Letter

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
1

<p>So I've read the part about supplementary recommendation letters on the FAQ section of Yale's website. I'll post it below for reference...But I'm still questioning whether or not I should submit one. I was thinking about getting the director of my extra-curricular music school to write a recommendation letter for me. The reason why I think this would be an exception is because I actually do think that submitting a letter from him would enhance my application. This teacher has worked with me for about 3 1/2 years in a program that I am involved with for up to about 13 hours a week, including the time that I work there. (By work I mean working for pay.) There are over 100 kids enrolled in the music school and I am one of the original twenty or so that started when the school first opened. Also, I'm involved in the "elite" team of musicians there. We are a group of about twenty and we play local gigs, have rehearsals, etc. I am absolutely certain that this "teacher" knows me much better than any of my high school teachers, and I am also very confident that this teacher would have outstanding things to say about me not only as a student, but as a person. This is something that I think is less possible with school teachers, as they do not get as much of a chance to really "know" each student in most cases. Anyway, does anyone think that doing this is too much of a risk regarding what Yale has to say on the topic? Does anyone think that getting this supplementary letter would be a good idea, based on the circumstances? Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>From Yale's website:</p>

<p>"We strongly discourage students from submitting more than the two required letters from teachers and the letter from a guidance counselor or college advisor that accompanies the School Report Form. Additional letters can have the effect of cluttering an application file, often repeating what has been said elsewhere, and can leave a reader wondering which letters are the most important recommendations. Three, four, or even five letters from teachers rarely do more work for a candidate than two.</p>

<p>That said, we try to be flexible about the need, in isolated cases, for students to submit an additional letter. If you feel there really is a need to send an extra recommendation, one that will add substantially to your application, be sure it is labeled "supplementary" to avoid confusion."</p>

2

<p>Yes, this is appropriate to include. I recommend that you do.</p>

3

<p>I agree. This person truly has something of substance to say about you. It would not be a rehash of what the teachers already said. DD had an unusual circumstance and submitted a supplementary letter as well and they accepted her.</p>

4

<p>I think it sounds like a good idea too.</p>

<p>How do you include a supplementary letter, do you have to mail it to the admissions office?</p>

5

<p>I’m pretty sure my guidance counselor said that it depends on whether or not the school asks that everything is sent together. If that’s the case, the writer of your supplementary letter should give you the letter in an envelope and you can give it to your guidance counselor at your school. That’s the way it works at my school at least.</p>

<p>Thanks guys for the advice :)</p>

6

<p>I agree, in your case a supplementary letter makes sense.</p>