Cornell Additional Letters of Recommendation

Hey everyone, I'm currently working on my Cornell application and I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on additional letters of recommendation. Are they worth getting, and how should I approach asking for them? Thanks in advance!

Hello! It's great that you're exploring additional letters of recommendation for your Cornell application. Though Cornell typically requires two letters of recommendation from your teachers and one from a school counselor, submitting additional recommendations can be beneficial if they provide new insight or perspective on your personality, accomplishments, or skills not already covered in the required letters.

Here are a few criteria to consider while deciding whether or not to include additional recommendations:

1. Relevance: The recommender should have a close and meaningful connection to you, either through academics, extracurricular activities, or a community organization.

2. Uniqueness: An additional letter should highlight aspects of your character or experiences not already covered in the standard recommendations from your teachers or counselor.

3. Quality over quantity: It's better to submit one strong, well-written recommendation instead of multiple mediocre ones.

To ask for an additional letter of recommendation, follow these tips:

1. Identify potential recommenders who have a good understanding of your strengths, achievements, and personal traits.

2. Choose a time when the person isn't too busy, and approach them politely.

3. Explain the context, the reason you're asking for the recommendation, and any specific highlights or experiences you'd like them to cover.

4. Provide them with any necessary documents, like your resume or application, and give them a deadline at least a month ahead of the application due date.

5. Remember to show gratitude and send a thank-you note once they submit the recommendation on your behalf.

Keep in mind that submitting too many extra recommendation letters might be off-putting for admissions officers who have limited time to review your application. Stick to one or, at most, two additional recommendations, and make sure they truly supplement your application. Good luck!