Letters of Recommendation - How many do you need?

Hey guys, I'm a bit confused about letters of recommendation. How many do colleges typically require? And, do I need more if I'm applying to multiple colleges?

Hello! The number of letters of recommendation required can vary depending on the colleges you're applying to. Generally, though, colleges ask for 1-2 letters from your teachers, preferably from those who taught you in a core subject area (like math, science, English, social studies, or foreign language) during your junior or senior year, as these teachers will be able to provide the most recent, comprehensive evaluation of your academic abilities and character. In addition to the teacher recommendations, some colleges may also require or recommend a letter from a school counselor.

You do not usually need to obtain more letters of recommendation if you're applying to multiple colleges. Instead, you will submit the same 1-2 teacher letters and, if required, counselor letter, to each college through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the college's specific application platform. The letters are designed to give a universal evaluation of your strengths and achievements, rather than demonstrate your fit for any one particular school.

Keep in mind that some colleges might have specific requirements, such as requesting a letter from someone in your intended major or a specific role (e.g., coach or club supervisor). Always check the colleges' websites or application instructions to ensure that you meet their particular requirements for letters of recommendation.

In certain cases, schools may allow or encourage additional optional letters of recommendation from someone outside of school who knows you well, such as a mentor or employer, or even a peer. The peer rec specifically is a notable feature of the admissions process at Dartmouth and Davidson - if you're thinking of applying to either of these schools, you can read more about peer rec letters on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/peer-letter-of-recommendation.

However, be cautious about submitting too many additional letters, as admissions officers are busy people, and they won't appreciate being overwhelmed with information that's not directly relevant to your application. Focus on providing the required number of strong, meaningful letters that highlight your various strengths and accomplishments, and only submit extras if you genuinely feel the new recommender will be able to highlight something that doesn't already come across in your other letters.

Good luck with your college applications!