Submitting Optional Letters of Recommendation

Hey fellow applicants! I have a question about optional letters of recommendation. Is it a good idea to submit them even though they're not required? Can they make a difference in my college app?

Hello! It's worth considering submitting optional letters of recommendation in your college applications if you believe they will highlight different aspects of your skills, experiences, and character that aren't already covered by the required recommendations. In these instances, these additional letters can provide a more well-rounded picture of who you are as an applicant.

However, keep in mind the following points before submitting an optional letter of recommendation:

1. Quality over quantity: Make sure the optional letters you submit bring genuinely new insights and perspectives about you that haven't been covered by the mandatory ones. If you submit a whole bunch of repetitive recommendations, you'll just be wasting your admissions officer's time, which they won't appreciate.

2. Subject relevance: If you're applying to a specific program or major, an additional letter from someone who can speak to your abilities in that field can be beneficial. For instance, if you're applying for an engineering program, a letter from your mentor during a summer research program might help demonstrate your skills and passion for the subject.

3. Relationship to recommender: Choose people who know you well and can provide specific examples of your achievements, personality traits, and work ethic. It could be a coach, mentor, employer, or even a teacher from outside your school. Don't pick someone just because you think their position will impress admissions officers if they don't know you very well, as they won't be able to add much insight to the school's evaluation of you.

Ultimately, an optional letter of recommendation can make a difference in your application if it complements your existing recommendation letters and adds valuable information about your skills, experiences, and character. If you think an additional letter would provide a unique perspective that strengthens your application, go ahead and include it! But if not, just trust in the information already provided by your required recommenders - there's a reason additional letters are optional, and more isn't always better.