# Recommendation Letters

**Source**: https://admissions.yale.edu/recommendation-letters
**Parent**: https://admissions.yale.edu/what-yale-looks-for

In This Section

## Request letters of recommendation from two teachers who know you well.

## Admissions Advice: Recommendations

## Inside the Yale Admissions Office Podcast

[Podcast transcripts](https://admissions.yale.edu/podcast-transcripts)

Recommendations tell us a great deal about the way you think and learn, how you contribute to your school community, and what you add to a classroom dynamic. The best recommendations are not always from the teachers in whose class you earned the highest grades, but rather from those teachers who know you best and can discuss the substance of your intellect and character. We are as interested in your intellectual curiosity and resilience as in your innate ability and work ethic. A string of generic superlatives is not as useful as a specific, thoughtful discussion of your strengths.

### Choosing recommenders

All applicants for first-year admission should request two letters of recommendation from teachers who have taught the student in core academic subjects: usually Math, English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, or Science. Teachers who have taught you in your junior and/or senior years often write the most insightful letters. These teachers will best speak to your recent progress, your preparation for rigorous collegiate coursework, and your potential contributions beyond the classroom.

## Frequently asked questions

- Expand All

## May I submit an additional letter of recommendation?

You may ask one additional recommender to write on your behalf, but please note that most successful applicants submit only the required letters of recommendation. The most useful recommendations provide new information and dimension to a candidacy, rather than repeat the strengths and qualities found elsewhere in the application. The recommender should know you well personally or have mentored you closely in some capacity.

If you have been engaged in advanced science or engineering research, consider requesting a letter of recommendation from a research mentor. Submit your research via the STEM Research Supplement Form and invite a research mentor to submit a letter of recommendation.

## What if my letter of recommendation arrives late?

The admissions office makes reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

## What if my school counselor doesn’t know me well?

An applicant’s high school context is an essential component of Yale’s holistic review process. We understand that many applicants attend schools where they are unable to develop a close connection with a school counselor, and that some counselors may write very short generic recommendations or none at all.

A counselor is required to submit the School Report with a transcript.

## What subject areas are considered core academic subjects?

Recommendation letters should come from teachers who have taught you in a credit-bearing class during the academic year. Core academic subjects include mathematics, languages, social studies, science, engineering, computer science, journalism, art history, music theory philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

Examples of high school classes that are not considered core subjects include orchestra, band, visual art, yearbook, JROTC, business, personal finance, physical education, and leadership.

## How to submit

### Educators, Recommenders, Others

Send official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other updates for active applicants with:

- [Slate.org](https://slate.org/), a free tool for educators
- Application platform (Common Application, Coalition Application)
- Document management tool (Naviance, Parchment, SCOIR)
- [Application Material Upload Form for Educators](https://apps.admissions.yale.edu/register/?id=0680320f-87b7-4697-80b7-4c3f07ec498b)
- Fax: 203 436-9775

For official transcript services that require an email address, use [apply.questions@yale.edu](mailto:apply.questions@yale.edu) (first-year applicants) or [transfer.documents@yale.edu](mailto:transfer.documents@yale.edu) (all others).

For paper copies, mail to PO Box 208234 New Haven, CT 06520 USA (USPS) or 38 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven CT 06511 (UPS, FedEx, Couriers).