Should I submit an additional rec?

Applying to College
1

I attended a prestigious middle school where I was suspended 6~7+ times and luckily maintained an average just on the tip of the borderline for “passing” so I never had to go to summer school. Through my years of delinquency, I developed a close bond with the dean who eventually convinced me to see a psychiatrist. I was diagnosed with ADHD and given meds, which I later quit after a month. Ever since I attended high school, I would keep my middle school dean updated with my improvements by sending him a scan of my report card. I went from being that infamous and cantankerous kid who almost got expelled/transferred to a now straight 95+/100 student in high school. He has been very impressed with my change in attitude towards school and maturity, and is very eager to write me a letter of recommendation. However, I know that if he does, it would have to fall under the category of an additional rec because after all, he’s a middle school dean. Would you guys suggest that I take up on his offer and do an additional rec, or would it ultimately hurt me if he were to describe my countless numbers of suspensions in middle school?

BTW I was suspended for 1 day in soph year for jabbing a racist kid with a pen (would’ve been 7 days, but it was my first offense & I had perfect attendance/grades), but the school is most likely going to expunge it since I had a 101 average junior year. I’m not sure how my stupid mistake would fare in combination with the dean’s additional rec. I probably should’ve taken meds to control my impulses, but I would hate to have to rely on them for the rest of my life. Would Ad Coms understand my situation? or did this event just completely negate what benefit (if any) my dean’s letter would’ve had?

2

Very few colleges want rec letters. Some will accept ONE from a teacher. Fewer accept two. Among those that accept two, even lesser say it’s OK to submit a third supplemental.

If you happen to apply to any in the last category I mention, I think it’s OK to include this dean’s letter. But make sure your first two are from CURRENT or RECENT teachers. The colleges want those first and foremost.

3

Most colleges requires one or two recs from current teachers and a rec from your guidance counselor (depends on the school). Additional recs are useful only if they say something about you that the other recs don’t. Otherwise, its just more paper. In this case, the Dean knows you well, has a unique perspective on your performance/maturation over time, and clearly feels that what he has to add will make a difference in how you are perceived. I’d accept his very generous offer given your history.

4

I’m not sure I’d want to bring up middle school problems in a college application. Up to you.

5

I agree with happy1. Not a good idea.