Who should I pick for "Other Evaluator"?

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Epic Burrito

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Oct 20, 2016
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Hi everybody, I just had a question for the last letter of rec for the USAFA application. I put my high school tennis coach who wrote a fantastic letter (or so he tells me) but I recently got in contact with one of my counselors from my participation at a pretty elite NASA camp and she said she would write me a letter of rec. Who should I pick?
Pros of tennis coach: shows leadership, athletic ability, that kind of stuff
Cons of tennis: already put his name and email in the appropriate slot
Pros of NASA counselor: describes my experience at a highly respected institution, and my team won 1st place competition at Johnson Space Center
Cons of NASA: not an actual NASA employee but a teacher hired by NASA to be a counselor for this camp
 
IMHO use the tennis coach LOR. They know you better and they can speak to your leadership skills which is very important to any SA. In addition, you have already told them about your NASA experience in your application.
 
Just my two cents but my DS kept the LOR to what was advised by USAFA which was a Math, Sciences and English teacher. It hit the core academic areas. The athletics kind of speak for themselves.
 
Son used the recommended math, English and science teacher. Aren't you allowed 3 optional letters of recommendation to send in?

I may be confused. I think my son has mentioned that. Son has been doing all his applications and congressional stuff himself and won't ask for help (frustrating for the stay at home mom who would love to help but proud of him for being independent) So I may be thinking of the wrong academy or application.


EDIT>> to add this. I just looked this up and this is directly off son's application portal. Looks like you can probably use BOTH your coach and NASA letter if I am reading this correctly.

While not required, you are highly encouraged to send in three letters of recommendation. These should be from people who know you well and who can provide insight into your character, leadership, and preparation for USAFA. They should not be from the three teachers who are completing our required teacher evaluations. DO NOT send in more than three letters, we will only consider three.
 
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Wait, the only options are a Math teacher, English teacher, and Other Evaluator, so there is only one option for a Letter of rec from a person not limited to academics
 
Epic Burrito said:
Wait, the only options are a Math teacher, English teacher, and Other Evaluator, so there is only one option for a Letter of rec from a person not limited to academics
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They list in order who is best suited to give you a recommendation in the candidate instructions book. Here is the exact quote.

"The “other” evaluation can be from one of the following individuals in order of priority:
1. Junior ROTC Instructor – if enrolled during your junior or senior year in high school or ROTC Detachment Commander – if currently enrolled in a college ROTC program.
2. High School Counselor.
3. High School Principal, Assistant Principal, or Dean of Students.
4. High School chemistry or physics teacher – if you took these courses in your junior or senior year (professor if enrolled in college).
5. Other high school teacher/official that taught you in your junior or senior year that can evaluate your academic potential, character, and leadership (other college professor or college official if enrolled in college)."

Then you are allowed to submit no more than 3 option recommendations. Here's the other exact quote.

"Letters of recommendation are not required. However, we strongly encourage you to submit up to but no more than three letters from individuals who know you well and can speak about your character, integrity, leadership abilities, and experience. These letters would be in addition to the School Official’s Evaluation of Candidate (USAFA Form 145)"
 
ElectedTuna said:
They list in order who is best suited to give you a recommendation in the candidate instructions book. Here is the exact quote.

"The “other” evaluation can be from one of the following individuals in order of priority:
1. Junior ROTC Instructor – if enrolled during your junior or senior year in high school or ROTC Detachment Commander – if currently enrolled in a college ROTC program.
2. High School Counselor.
3. High School Principal, Assistant Principal, or Dean of Students.
4. High School chemistry or physics teacher – if you took these courses in your junior or senior year (professor if enrolled in college).
5. Other high school teacher/official that taught you in your junior or senior year that can evaluate your academic potential, character, and leadership (other college professor or college official if enrolled in college)."

Then you are allowed to submit no more than 3 option recommendations. Here's the other exact quote.

"Letters of recommendation are not required. However, we strongly encourage you to submit up to but no more than three letters from individuals who know you well and can speak about your character, integrity, leadership abilities, and experience. These letters would be in addition to the School Official’s Evaluation of Candidate (USAFA Form 145)"
Click to expand...
Yeah I actual recall seeing that but my counselor only knew me for this year, because my counselors kept leaving year after year :( Nevertheless, I feel that I have had a somewhat friendly relationship with my counselor so I guess it would be appropriate to put her name in, thanks for your input
 
You also need LOR for Senate and Congressional noms. So I bet you can still use the camp LOR if you need/feel it will reflect your skills appropriately.
 
For the "other" evaluation, my DS used letters of recommendation from his Religion and APUSH teachers and a community leader who knew him quiet well. They had also offered to write the letters. They spoke about his character and his leadership abilities with examples of their observation of him. He is a C3C at USAFA.

Choose people who know you well. Good luck to you!
 
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