Supplemental recommendations – send one, or don't?

HazelEnvirons
Sun, 29 May 2022 03:36:56 +0000

Several of the colleges I’m planning to apply to allow applicants to submit a supplemental letter of recommendation along with the typical teacher & counselor recs. (I’ll be specific in case it’s helpful: Brown, NYU, Pitzer, Pomona College, Tufts, Vassar. Yes, I have likely-admit schools on my list as well, but interestingly none of them allow a supplemental recommendation.)

A college professor who is leading a study I’m involved in has expressed willingness to serve as a supplemental recommender for me. I think a letter from them would be a significant value-added since they could speak to my ability to collaborate and work hard outside of a school setting, and my competency in academic areas and methods that align with many of these colleges’ offerings.

At a few of these schools, only one teacher recommendation is required. I have a second teacher recommender who could also serve as my supplemental recommender.

Is there any reason not to send in a supplemental letter of recommendation? If I am sending one in, should I stick with my second teacher rec for the schools that won’t be getting it anyway, or should I go with the professor across the board?