<p>I was able to have my principal write me a recommendation letter to an Ivy League school, but I'm not sure how much weight it will hold in admissions. The letter was absolutely outstanding; he has written few, if any at all, for students over the past twenty years. Does anyone have any insight or opinions on this?</p>
<p>What precisely is a recommendation from the principal going to tell anyone? I mean, does your principal really know anything about how good of a student you are?</p>
<p>If the principal’s letter discusses your achievements at the school that aren’t tied to any particular class, such as leadership roles, academic teams, or involvement in all-school activities, I’d think that would be a nice letter to have. However, it’s not a subsitute for teacher letters, since those address your academic coursework more specifically.</p>
<p>Ask recommendations from people who know you well and convey those qualities of you that cannot come through in other parts of your applicantion. I personally think a recommendation from a principal is not very useful, but since you said the letter sounds great, why not just send it in anyway as a supplement =) </p>
<p>-from your fellow college applicant</p>