Extra Reccomendations

I

IrishDancer

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Nov 19, 2007
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85
I struggled a little in pre calculus last year, however I've been doing much better in Honors Calculus this year even though my grade doesn't quite reflect it (B+). My current teacher has offered to write another recommendation to the academy. I know that he would write a really good letter on my behalf and I feel like since I'm kind of on the bubble of getting in it would help a lot, but will they even accept it/read it?
 
Yes, USNA will accept/read additional letters of recommendation. The key to their making a difference is that they say something not already in your packet. If your prior math recommendation was very strong, and this one will merely repeat that, having a second glowing rec from the same or another math teacher probably won't have that much impact. If you know/believe that the prior rec was lukewarm and you believe this one will be stronger, it's more likely to have an impact.

Again, there's no downside to submitting it (if you believe it will be good) but maybe not worth the time and effort if it's duplicative of something already said.
 
Thank you, that's good to know! Is this the right address to have it sent to:

United States Naval Academy
ATTN: Dean of Admissions
117 Decatur Rd
Annapolis, MD 21402

Also, does my teacher need to include any identifying information (my candidate number, etc.)?
 
Do everyone a great favor and include ALL identifying information on correspondence with the Admissions Office. This is an extremely busy time in Leahy as they are attempting to select the 1200+ members of 2014 and preparing to take the applications for NASS and STEM. You have a surprisingly small staff trying to handle all of those tasks involving thousands of young men and women plus their parents. The more identifying information you provide the less likely your documents will go astray.
 
85 has a good line on extra letters of recommendation. Two additional things to think about when you are asking for extra letters of recommendation.

First, the Board knows the letter will say you are a great person, student, athlete, etc. They always state that. After all, you would never send them a letter that said something poorly about yourself. So, if you math teacher said in the first letter that you are a great student...sending another letter stating you are a REALLY great student may not have the sway you hope for.

Second, if you are submitting another letter, the person observing should have some insight into an aspect of your life they have not seen in your record yet and should have significant time with you to observe this aspect. A letter from the President saying you are a great person would have little impact since he probably has never spent time with you - unless it is Uncle Barack and he has seen you develop over many years. An additional letter from your math teacher would probably not have a huge sway either since the teacher still only sees you 2-3 hours a week in class and would again comment on how really great you are in those same 2-3 hours a week. So, if you are considering another letter, is there somebody in your life who could give additional insight on something the board has not seen about you?
 
^^^

Second this. Extra letters of rec should be from someone who has a different perspective on you, for example, an employer, a minister, the head of a community group w/which you're heavily involved.

And, please recognize that you do NOT need to send more than what's requested. As with most things in the military, if USNA wanted more recs, they'd require them. However, if you believe some critical component of your life isn't covered with everything USNA requires, this is a way to provide that missing link. Other than that, an extra rec probably won't carry much weight.
 
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