Letter of Rec.

G0navybeat@rmy

G0navybeat@rmy

The Eternal Candidate
5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2018
Messages
148
I have a letter of rec that isn't from a math or English teacher (I already have those uploaded), and I heard that I can still upload it to my portal as an extra, but I'm not sure how. I think it would make a difference and help me stand out, I just need to know how.
 
Where did you hear this? Ive not heard of anyone who has done this.

Perhaps ask your admissions advisor. It will need to be something material and significant to your individual case. There isnt a place to upload it because they don’t accept them as a general rule.
 
Our DS emailed his admissions counselor and asked if he was able to submit any additional letters of recommendation. She said yes, they needed to be emailed directly to her by the person writing it, and include his candidate number in the email. He asked and has 3 additional letters in his file. She did say it would not affect his WCS but that the boards would see them. He decided it couldn't be a negative to show the additional effort and different sources of recommendation.
 
Additional LORs should portray something that isn’t in your file or expands upon something of significance. It also needs to be from someone who knows you and has an established relationship. General or Admiral X who is a friend of a friend or who you met twice isn’t going to help.
 
Many, many candidates submit LORs directly to Admissions. Usually these letters are acquired by the candidate during the nomination application process. Simply have the LOR writer seal their letter in an envelope and mail it directly to admissions. Be sure the LOR writer includes the candidate number in the subject line of the letter. My 2/C did this with both his original and re-app. With this being said, make sure the LOR offers new information about the candidate that is not presented by the Math and English teacher evaluations or the evaluation submitted by the Guidance Counselor. Also, as with the nomination LORs, the writer should be able to speak about the candidate from actual experience.
 
The thing is, how would one know if they offer additional info? Math and English teachers are sent online. The student doesn’t see them. And a LOR is also something a student doesn’t (shouldn’t) see.

I’m surprised I guess. This is news to me. Must have missed these discussions before.
 
There have been many discussions about this in the Forum, and a lot of debate whether it is appropriate or helpful.
I have never heard anything definitive from Admissions, except that it is not necessary. I don't encourage it.

I don't subscribe to theory that it can't hurt. It might be helpful as long as the writer is writing based on actual knowledge, and adds something to the application. However, that letter from General/Admiral X who really doesn't know you could backfire if someone on the Admissions Board really doesn't care for the General/Admiral.
 
After DS's English teacher submitted his evaluation this summer she told him she was going to mail a separate letter to admissions on his behalf, but wanted to wait until after AP scores were released, so she could include that. She said she'd done that in the past for other students. I have no idea what's asked in the evaluation, but she felt an additional letter was warranted. I don't think he knows if she ever actually sent the letter - he didn't want to bother her about it since she's also doing letters for other schools/scholarships for him and tons of other kids. DS has asked his guidance counselor to send an email recently with awards he's received since submitting his application. Per his admissions counselor, the email has to be sent by the GC with his candidate number, and then his file will be updated, presumably. He can't see whether it's updated on the portal.
 
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Our DS wanted to make sure his TKD instructor had the opportunity to submit his LOR. His instructor has eagerly awaited the chance to recommend him as he has known him for 10 years through TKD. He could speak to character traits related to the sport. His English and Math teachers never see that side of him. IMHO I think any LOR that is requested by the candidate should come from someone who has known the candidate for a considerable period and has had the opportunity to witness their behavior and decision making in person. I don't subscribe at all to asking for LOR's from a high ranking/seemingly connected type who may not know the candidate on a day to day basis.
 
As I understand it, Math/English teacher's are asked to provide an EVALUATION not a Letter of RECOMMENDATION. There is a difference. These two seem to get jumbled on here. If you search back on older posts, you will see the types of things the evaluation covers.
 
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