Yale accepts, but does not recommend extra recommendations from applicants. Under the following scenario, would it make sense to send an extra rec?
A senior has spent most of his time outside of school during the last 3+ years involved with a group that combines art with activism - in an unusual way. The group has had significant success, including glowing attention from the national media. The activities are ECs and the student will not be majoring in art or activism.
Most of the student’s activity list is devoted to activities done with this group. However, given the unusual nature of many of the activities the limits of the activity make it difficult to convey their breadth and depth or the success he achieved.
The leader of the group considers the student pivotal to the success previously described. The leader might send an extremely strong letter of recommendation if asked. Does it make sense to send Yale a recommendation from the leader of this group?
But just be cautioned on how much it will help. I studied 'cello with an internationally famous professor at Yale and had a glowing recommendation from him. I traveled from Boston to New Haven several times a month to spend a day at Yale doing lessons, chamber music and master classes with Yale music grad students (and had to get special permission to miss that much school, while still maintaining the most rigorous academic schedule of anyone in my 900 person class), and I had spent 3 months in Brazil with him on a funded international program sponsored by the Brazilian government. I stayed over his house at times. He knew me quite well. I applied ED to Yale (a long time ago, when they still had ED) because of my teacher, with his full support. They turned me down.
^^ I agree. If an interview is offered, and you turn it down, you are in effect turning down Yale – yes, that’s what I said. If you are offered an interview, and turn it down, expect to be rejected from Yale!