Recommendation Letter Question

candidate22

New Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
2
In addition to the required three recommendation letters (math, english, and college counselor) I am sending in approx. two recommendation letters.
My question is, should I simply address the letters to "U.S. Naval Academy 121 Blake Rd Annapolis" or is there a specific admissions address I can send to so that I know it gets to the right person?
Or, instead of "U.S. Naval Academy", should I make the letter out to my admissions officer specifically?
 
Also does anyone know what is the appropriate number of additional letters to send
 
Here is the address (taken directly from the USNA Admissions website):

Office of Admissions
52 King George Street
Annapolis, MD 21402

Are you sending your letters or are your teachers? I think one additional and meaningful letter of recommendation is enough. I know that for USAFA last year, they stated max one additional letter (coaches, pastors, etc) for candidates who felt that teacher recs may not be able to sum up their entire being.
 
Also does anyone know what is the appropriate number of additional letters to send
Be careful about sending more recommendation letters than requested. Admissions officers do not want to read letters from people, no matter how important, that do not know you well or can not provide meaningful information that is not already contained in your file. At best, the reader will find the letter to be busy work, at worst it will tick them off.

Good type of letter: from employer, pastor, school official, etc that you have worked closely with that can provide specific and thoughtful insight into your character and capabilities. A high school student is unlikely to have accomplished enough to generate more than one or two meaningful recommendations of this type.

Bad type of letter: from fill in the blank (CEO, Retired Admiral, Politician) who has never met you and is only writing it because they were asked to by a friend of your father's golfing buddy.

As far as to whom to send it, I would suggest the Admissions Counselor for your region.
 
In addition to the required three recommendation letters (math, english, and college counselor) I am sending in approx. two recommendation letters.
My question is, should I simply address the letters to "U.S. Naval Academy 121 Blake Rd Annapolis" or is there a specific admissions address I can send to so that I know it gets to the right person?
Or, instead of "U.S. Naval Academy", should I make the letter out to my admissions officer specifically?
The only letters that are asked for in the application packet are from English and Math teachers. Your guidance counselor verifies your Candidate Activities Record as well as your Academic record( Not a reco letter) ... nothing more needed . I agree with jl123 .... be careful about sending in extra letters.
 
There are alot of discussions here on point.... Admissions really doesn't care. I really don't think it hurts , they probably just ignore. Face it, they all say the same thing...." Blah blah blah.. XXX is a great kid... would be a great Midshipman...." I think the exception would be the recommendation from someone who can provide special insight into the candidate that can't be demonstrated or explained in the Personal Statement.

I have never served on a MOC committee, but suspect that a letter may have more impact there ....not as much for content (again, they all say the same thing !) but who writes them. MOC of Congress are by nature political animals, and a letter from a prominent person in the community (especially of the same political party), could be beneficial.
 
There are alot of discussions here on point.... Admissions really doesn't care. I really don't think it hurts , they probably just ignore. Face it, they all say the same thing...." Blah blah blah.. XXX is a great kid... would be a great Midshipman...." I think the exception would be the recommendation from someone who can provide special insight into the candidate that can't be demonstrated or explained in the Personal Statement.

I have never served on a MOC committee, but suspect that a letter may have more impact there ....not as much for content (again, they all say the same thing !) but who writes them. MOC of Congress are by nature political animals, and a letter from a prominent person in the community (especially of the same political party), could be beneficial.
Could not agree more... it is not that different than a reference for a job. You wont give a reference for a job application that is not going to give you a glowing rec. Best thing is to stick with the parameters of the application.... there is something to be said for someone that can "follow instructions" when applying to a military school.
 
Back
Top