Personal Letters of Recommendation...?

[Ross2011]

Hello, I was wondering about if personal letters of recommendation are needed as part of the admissions to any of the academies. I have several people who would like to write me letters, and I know that they would have an impact on the application. The problem is that I have not been able to find anywhere to submit them or if they are even accepted for that matter. Any help clearing this up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[freedomtruck]

You should have already opened up a file and have access to your candidate portal or online file. Different parts should open up early summer, in which you can provide the email address of the person whom you'd like to have write a recommendation letter for you. The Academy should send an email to that person, stating that you requested a reference letter.

Naval Academy already has this section opened up on the online application thing.

 

[usna1985]

Those of you considering sending additional letters . . .

(1) Make sure the entity to whom you are sending them accepts them. USNA does. Certain MOCs (and maybe other SAs) may not. If you're told not to send extra letters, don't do it.

(2) Consider whether the letter adds something that's not already in your packet. Letters from another teacher or someone who knows you from school aren't likely to add anything extra or help. Letters from an employer, a pastor, or someone else who knows you outside of school MIGHT help.

(3) Consider how well the recommender knows you. Some Admiral who's a friend of your parents and has met you twice isn't going to help. Trust me, it's patently obvious when the person writing the rec doesn't know you well and such a rec won't help you.

(4) Consider what specifics the recommender can add. A family friend who says you're great . . . probably not going to help. Someone who can discuss an event you founded/led, how you functioned as a long-term employee, etc. might be beneficial.

(5) The minimum is good enough. If the SAs or MOCs wanted extra letters of rec, they'd ask for them. 99% of the time, the extra letter(s) won't make a bit of difference. Much better to have great recs from the required recommenders.

 

[Pima]

(2) Consider whether the letter adds something that's not already in your packet. Letters from another teacher or someone who knows you from school aren't likely to add anything extra or help. Letters from an employer, a pastor, or someone else who knows you outside of school MIGHT help

Very true.

Our DS athletically did TKD. He was a state and national champ. However, he did not play any "traditional" sports. We had the Master(he was the Olympic Gold Medalist for SKorea back in the 90's, and signed it that way under his name) send a letter explaining that participating in competitive TKD, requires at least 20 hrs a week YR ROUND. That this would be similar to playing 3 different sports because there is no break. Additionally, that he competed on the State and National level for 3 yrs, where he was always the Gold medalist in States, and never lower then the Bronze in Nationals.

We also sent an additional letter from his employer, for basically the same reason. Our DS was a SR Lifeguard for 2 yrs, (yr round). In that letter, the director of the Y, spelled out not only his duties as the SR Lifeguard, which included training jr lifeguards, but explained that as a SR guard he was required to be tested monthly in certain swimming skills, including rescuing a 140 lb dummy from the water, and exiting the pool without stairs within 1 minute. She also told them to his credit he had 26 saves.

These are things that can help, because it filled in the holes, that although he was not in school athletics, he had for yrs been very competitive in non-traditional athletics. Those two letters showed that at times he actually spent 40 hrs+ a week in athletic situations for an extended amount of yrs.

I would not rec a letter from your boss if you are working at Target, because what are they really going to say? He/She is prompt and courteous? That doesn't help.

A Pastor or church leader maybe different, but I would stress that you only ask them if you have done something really unique within the church. For example, you created CYO or Clothes drive. It has to be something shining. Eucharistic minister, CYO treasurer and teaching RE is not a WOW factor.

Whatever letters you decide to add should be WOW factors. Like USNA stated, they can read it for what it really is worth. They have seen many additional recs, and that is why they know if it is a waste of their time, or something they should give extra attention to. You don't get bonus points because you have more recs. that are BS.

 

[Ross2011]

Thank you for the help! I do have 2 individuals whom are writing letters for me, both of which follow the criteria you guys listed. One question though, in the Naval Academy CIS, I can't find the section for personal letters of rec. If anyone can help with that, it would be appreciated.

 

[usna1985]

An employer, even Target, can be helpful for candidates who need to work to support a family or for other reasons and thus don't have time for ECAs. They can also show your ability to "work and play well with others."

Every situation is individual. If you're uncertain whether add'l letters would be helpful, this is a great issue to discuss w/your BGO. They typically help when they fill a gap. They typically don't help when they merely reiterate what others have said.