<p>Also, you mention getting two extra letters of recommendation (school VP and music tutor) in addition to the two teacher evaluations and counselor report. </p>
<p>First off, Stanford only allows you to submit one additional letter of rec:</p>
<p>“You may submit a maximum of one optional letter of recommendation if there is another person—not a teacher or counselor—who knows you well and will provide new insights about you.”</p>
<p>[Teacher</a> Evaluations : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/freshman/evals.html]Teacher”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/application/freshman/evals.html)</p>
<p>Second, I wouldn’t recommend submitting an additional letter unless it’ll REALLY ADD to the application (i.e., provide critical pieces of information that wouldn’t be apparent otherwise). Adding a recommendation could dilute the power of what the teachers and counselor say, and it could also make the admission officer more grouchy because he/she would have to do more reading. </p>
<p>If you’re going to include an additional letter, get one from the music teacher. You mention that the VP knows your son’s academics and ECs well…this info will already be included in the guidance counselor’s report, so a letter from the VP would be redundant. </p>
<p>Unrelated note: tell your son not to take his essays “too seriously.” Yes, he should write them well and ensure that they discuss things that matter deeply to him in a writing style that reflects his own voice…but beyond that, he shouldn’t stress too much. I feel like many people who apply SCEA or REA or ED to their first choice college try so hard to “impress” the school with “articulate” and “scholarly” writing…this kills their authentic “voice” and may make them come across as arrogant or as someone who is trying too hard to get into college (one of the common ways elite college disqualify kids is by determining that they’re writing simply what they think admission officers want to read). There’s no telling what the admission officer for his region is looking for, so his best bet is to just be himself.</p>
<p>And for the record: I’m a current Stanford student who has spoken with admission officers on countless occasions. In addition, I’ve clearly been through the process myself (admitted REA). All of the information I am relaying to CC is stuff that I’ve been told by admission officers as well as info that I’ve gleaned from simply partaking in and observing others go through the admission process.</p>