<p>I have a senior who is currently going through the college application process. Over the last 6 years she has missed a significant amount of school due to having a brain tumor at age 11. Given she had brain surgery, cranial radiation, physical and occupational therapy for five years we are just happy she is here and in a position to be able apply to college.</p>
<p>My daughter’s neuro-oncologist has offered to provide a letter of recommendation for the college application process. He knows her really well and has seen what she has had to overcome in the last 6 years. I would argue he knows her more than any of the counselors at her public high school (3600 students). From what I can see on the Common app process there does not appear to be a way to handle referrals of this nature.</p>
<p>Would be interested in suggestions from other parents on how I should handle this.</p>
<p>I was a HS senior last year, and I think what you can do is have the letter in an official envelope (either the school’s or the hospital’s), and mail it in along with the supplements that you have to mail in anyway). At least, for most of my schools, I had to mail things like my transcript, even if I did my essays/demographics with the Common App.</p>
<p>Edit: also, if you do this, make sure you label on the outside of the envelope what it is, like write “letter of recommendation…” etc. etc. so that the admissions committee will know what it is.</p>
<p>First, I can not imagine the journey your family has been through, and yes, what an amazing blessing your daughter is healthy enough to even be applying!! </p>
<p>Many schools still do not file their require documents (LORs, transcripts, etc.) electronically through the Common App. Amazing, but you’d be surprised at the major, award-winning counties in education that don’t. These thousands of documents are mailed to colleges all over the country. Once there, the majority of the colleges sort and scan everything so that they can all become part of the students electronic file.</p>
<p>You can send this by snail mail and you’ll be just fine. Usually when I hear of people sending additional LORs and asked my opinion I encourage them to stick with what the school asks for. I would most certainly include the LOR from your daughter’s Dr. in this case!!</p>
<p>Don’t worry, outside letters of recommendation can just be sent by snail mail. We had the mailer put our kids’ Social Security number in the letter just in case there was more than one of him.</p>
<p>Quick update - my daughter found out today that she achieved the IB diploma. I am posting this as inspiration for any other parents who ever find themselves in the position we found ourselves in seven years ago. She ended up with several great scholarship offers at several colleges!</p>