Supplementary recommendations -- yes or no?

Parents Forum
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<p>I'm curious about what all of you think about supplementary recommendations, when they're appropriate, and who would be a good person to ask for one. I have two teachers that I'm considering, neither of whom would qualify to write an academic recommendation (foreign language and Theory of Knowledge/student newspaper) but who I know would write great recs, and I'm wondering if either would be useful, or if colleges would see it as superfluous.</p>

<p>Just for some background, for my academic recommendations, I have the advantage of going to a small school where the teachers really get to know the students and it's more usual than not to have the same teacher for several years.</p>

<p>My first rec will be from my English teacher from 9th, 11th, and 12th grade (IB English A1 HL for the two latter), who has seen my writing develop over the years and has always encouraged me. I'd say he probably knows me better than any other adult outside of my family, and I respect him immensely both as a teacher and as a person. I've no doubt that he will write an excellent recommendation.</p>

<p>My second rec will be from my Chemistry teacher from 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade (including IB Chemistry HL). Like my English teacher he's known me for years; in my progress reports and in conversations with my parents he's called me a "creative, out of the box thinker". He is also my Extended Essay advisor.</p>

<p>So the question is whether a supplementary recommendation would provide any new information compared to the other two, and if I decide to include one, who would be most suited to write it.</p>

<p>First of all, there is my French teacher from 7th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. I'm in IB French A1 HL, which the most advanced level of French with the same curriculum and expectations as my regular English class (and for whatever it's worth, neither is my first language). Out of 51 students in the class of '07, only three are taking two language classes at the A1 level. On one hand, considering that there are three people in the class the teacher knows us very well and is familiar with our writing and progress; I'm sure she would write a glowing recommendation. On the other hand, I'm concerned that it wouldn't add anything that won't also come across in the first two.</p>

<p>The second option is one of my Theory of Knowledge teachers who is also (as of this year) one of the advisors for the student newspaper, where I'm the News and Features Editor and Photography Editor. She's been very enthusiastic about my work in TOK, and since I'm a section editor I do quite a bit for the newspaper as well. She hasn't known me for nearly as long as my French teacher, but a recommendation from her would touch on one of my major ECs (I've been writing for the paper since 9th grade) and might give a more well-rounded impression.</p>

<p>Or should I just not submit a supplementary rec? I know that "the thicker the file, the thicker the applicant" and all that, but do you think a third recommendation would provide a useful perspective? Right now I'm leaning towards the second one; I know that my French teacher would be more than happy to recommend me, but I don't want to come across as onedimensional.</p>

<p>I'm sorry about the long-winded post, but I'd love some second opinions on this. Thanks in advance! :)</p>

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<p>Camelias, I don't see a downside to submitting three recommendations, but be aware that the college may only read two so you take the risk of them not choosing your #1 and #2 letters. </p>

<p>I can see more of a justification to providing additional recommendations if they illuminate a non-academic aspect of your profile. For example, my son submitted two additional recs, one from an art instructor (which was actually required at one selective LAC as part of the arts supplement package) and one from someone who mentored him in a significant EC. </p>

<p>By the way, I WOULD consider a TOK teacher to be an acceptable academic reference. I don't know if s/he would be any better than your English or Chemistry teacher (both of whom sound ideal), but there's no reason why you couldn't use the TOK instructor as one of your two primary recommenders if you so preferred.</p>

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<p>camelia, just carefully read each school's admissions instructions. Some highly encourage additional recs. Others are emphatic that they don't want them. I do think the French teacher could highlight your multi-lingual background & lay it on thick that English isn't your first language, yet you are successfully handling IB. URM by any chance? It would be wonderful if the French teacher also happened to be the coach of a team on which you star!</p>

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<p>Camelia:</p>

<p>A supplementary rec is best written by someone who is outside the school and can speak to aspects of you that would not be known to your teachers. All the recs you are contemplating are about your academic abilities within your school. The easiest thing to do would be for your English teacher to incorporate information from the two other teachers. For example, the rec could easily include a sentence mentioning the wide array of languages you can speak and how useful that will be in your college studies; the TOK teacher's comments could also be included in that rec, or in the GC's rec.</p>

<p>Other posters are correct about how different colleges handle recs differently. If I remember correctly, Stanford was adamant about only 2 recs, but was willing to have one of these recs be from a college prof. Harvard was equally adamant that the 2 recs be from high school teachers, but was willing to accept a college prof's rec as a supplementary rec.</p>

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<p>Just a thought...when my d was faced with a similar dilemma her GC asked the additional teachers to submit short narratives to him. He then included the appropriate snippets, i.e., those that highlighted different aspects, in his rec.</p>

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<p>My inclination would be for any supplementary recommendations be limited to people who know you outside school - for example someone who could testify to work experience (volunteer or paid.)</p>

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<p>I agree with those who suggest limiting the extra recs to out- of- school mentors. Remember, the colleges will also see your counselor rec. This would be a good place to highlight other in-school activities that the other two wouldn't know about. Since your school is small, wouldn't it be common for the counselor to get feedback from your newspaper and French teacher? Could they write something about you and submit it to your counselor to be included in the counselor rec?</p>

<p>That being said, ONE extra rec will not seem like padding, but it really should offer something that the other two don't. If you're sure the extra would add something, my advice would be to go ahead.</p>