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Help- schools seem to ask for two only (sometimes three - Brown, "optional" at Stanford and Princeton) but many accepted last year to these schools tell me to ignore if I have 3,4 (even 5 !)that are strong and cover different facets - ie two teachers, 1 extracurricular, 1 character/friend, 1 employer - whats the thinking ? How many are too many ?

By Dave Berry on Wednesday, September 05, 2001 - 08:08 am: Edit

Eddie, I recommend exceeding a school's rec limit by only two at most. Too many recs tend to turn off the admissions people. You'll appear to be pandering to them and perhaps even trying to compensate for some innate deficiency in your application if you flood them with recs.

The important thing to remember is that colleges look to recs for crucial insights into who you are. That's why your rec writers should come from only those people who know you very well personally and who can articulate that knowledge within an anecdotal context (that is, by relating short, specific stories that support their contentions about you).

It's far better to have four superb recs than it is to have 40 boilerplated (aka: meaningless) ones. Choose your rec writers very carefully. The recommendation is the most often overlooked, misunderstood, and underestimated weapon in your application arsenal. Use it wisely.

By Denise Chew on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 09:06 am: Edit

I also have a question about letters of recommendation. I am a Malaysian (U.S. permanent resident) who currently lives on Guam (U.S. territory). If that isn't a minority within a minority, I don't know what is! Anyway, I'm in the top 5% of my class, 1370 Sat, good extra-curriculars, leadership positions, etc. I am planning to apply to some UC schools. However, some University of California schools do not REQUIRE a letter of recommendation. Does that mean "don't send one"? Could I still send a letter of recommendation? It would be helpful because my previous AP English teacher was a professor at Berkeley and her recommendation could do wonders to my application...

By Dave Berry on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 08:24 pm: Edit

By all means, Denise. Send that recommendation. Schools that don't ask for recs usually put heavier emphasis on objective numeric qualifications rather than subjective intagibles like recs. If the schools to which you're applying have very large applicant pools, the letter may not be read, but one never knows. It's always better to have a great rec (especially one from someone familiar with both you and the school) sitting there where some curious admissions office may read it.

The only time I wouldn't send a rec would be if the application states clearly, "DON'T SEND LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. IF YOU DO, WE WILL THROW YOUR APPLICATION IN THE TRASH UNOPENED." Short of that, submit the rec. Best wishes for your admissions success, Denise.

By JM FL on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 10:22 pm: Edit

I attend a Public School. I am a minority by race and religion. I have taken all honors classes through out High school. I have taken 1 AP-U.S. history, and will be taking two more this comming year-my senior year,AP english lit. and AP spanish. I will also be dual enrolling in my local college, taking two classes there. BUT... when I apply for colleges my HPA <-(weighted gpa) will only be a 3.6 [<-not sure]/ Will this turn off colleges?
I have not taken my SAT's yet b/c I am prepping for them but I most likely will only end up with a 1350.
*ALSO* I have !GREAT! extra currics' and leadership possitions, was in cross country my junior year, speak 3 languages and just finished a summer program at georgetown.
To get to the point, I know I can get great letters of recomendations from my teachers, an alumni chairperson, and a letter of recomendation from the president of a country that will remain nameless. (not the U.S.--i wish!)
How good are my chances of getting in UPENN (letter from chairperson is only for UPENN), Princeton, or Georgetown? How much will my letters of recomendation help me-if at all?

By Dadster on Friday, June 28, 2002 - 11:54 pm: Edit

JMFL, I think Dave's comment about recs is the key element. A letter from someone well known won't do you any good at all if the person doesn't know you well and can't shed any light on your unique characteristics. On the other hand, a rec that shows the adcom something significant about you can be a big help.

By MG on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 10:58 pm: Edit

Um, just a question, but how do you know the president of a country? Also, what do you define as "great" EC's?

By jm fl on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 08:57 pm: Edit

I don't know the "actual" President of the country I speak of, but I know someone who works for him...
When i say Great EC's I mean I have all basis covered (or I think I do) like: sports, an instrument,languages,comm.service, etc.
I mean I got REALLY involved to make up for my GPA. I know you need both a high GPA and EC's for these good schools I wish to attend, so that is why I was wondering if these "letters" would give me a slightly better chance.