As you start working on college applications, you’ll quickly come across the part of the application where letters of recommendation are involved.
Teacher and counselor recommendations tend to get most of the attention. Some colleges require a recommendation or two from a teacher or your school counselor; many colleges list them as optional components of your application.
These letters come from the people who’ve seen you in an academic setting and can speak to your growth, work ethic, and character in the classroom. In almost every case, a thoughtful recommendation from a teacher who knows you well can strengthen your application and help admissions officers see the full picture.
But depending on the college, you might also have the option to submit a letter from an “Other Recommender.”
If you’re wondering whether you should include one (and who qualifies as an Other Recommender) you’re not alone. This part of the application can be confusing, and not every student needs (or benefits from) an extra letter.
Here’s what to know before you hit submit.
The Different Types of Recommendation Letters
Most colleges that accept letters of recommendation are looking for one or two letters from people who know you in an academic or school-based setting, typically an academic teacher and/or your school counselor.
Here’s the purpose of these letters in your college application:
Teacher letters speak to your intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and presence in an academic setting.
Counselor letters offer a broader perspective on your growth, personal character, and role in the school community.
If you’re deciding which teachers to ask or how to approach them, check out our Guide to Teacher Recommendations for advice on who to ask and how to make the most of those letters.
Other Recommendations, on the other hand, are entirely optional. They come from people outside your school’s academic staff. Think coaches, mentors, supervisors, or community leaders who know you in a different context.
These letters can add valuable depth to your application, but only if they truly offer new insight.
More on that in a bit.
Who qualifies as an “Other Recommender”?
Anyone who isn’t a classroom teacher or school counselor can technically qualify, but that doesn’t mean just anyone should write one.
common examples of Other Recommenders:
Coaches
Employers or supervisors (from part-time jobs or internships)
Volunteer coordinators
Arts instructors or directors (music, art, theater, dance, etc.)
Mentors or research supervisors
Religious leaders
These people often see you in settings where your initiative, collaboration, or leadership skills come to life in real-world or community contexts.
How do colleges use Other Recommendations?
This is important: Not all colleges accept Other Recommenders, and it’s very rare for a college require them.
So before you ask anyone to write a letter on your behalf, check the college’s recommendation policies. If a school doesn't offer the option or clearly states that they don’t review extra letters, respect that boundary.
When a college does allow Other Recommendations, they’re looking for additional context, not duplication of information already in your application.
A strong letter from an Other Recommender should show a different side of you than what your teachers and counselor can offer. Ideally, it reveals something meaningful about your character, work ethic, or values in a setting outside school.
Note: Some specific majors (especially in the visual and performing arts) may require an Other Recommendation from an instructor as part of the audition or portfolio process. Be sure to check your college’s requirements!
When should (and shouldn’t) you ask for an Other Recommendation?
Good reasons to submit an Other Recommendation:
You’ve had a longstanding relationship with someone who knows you well outside of school.
You have a part-time job, volunteer position, sport, or creative pursuit that has shaped your growth.
Your recommender can share specific, personal examples of how you’ve grown or contributed in that setting.
The letter adds something new to your application that your other recommenders can’t speak to.
Not-so-good reasons to submit an Other Recommendation:
You feel like your application needs a “boost” and want to add as much as possible.
You’re asking someone who doesn’t know you well (or at all!) but has an important sounding title or a connection to a particular college.
The letter is likely to repeat what your teachers or counselor are already writing.
You’re asking several different people, hoping more letters will make a bigger impact.
It’s easy to think, “More is better,” but in this case, it’s actually not.
Admissions officers read thousands of applications. If a letter doesn’t add new value, it can actually detract from your application by cluttering it or making you seem unaware of boundaries.
How and when should you ask your recommender(s)?
1. Understand the College’s Recommendation Policy
Before you do anything else, confirm that the schools on your list allow additional letters from the person you hope to ask.
Check the Recommenders & FERPA section of the Common Application for each school. Below teacher recommendations, it will state whether a college accepts Other Recommendations, as well as the type and number of recommendations they permit.
Pro Tip: Even if a college allows you to submit multiple Other Recommendations, most students shouldn’t submit more than 1-2.
2. Reach out early.
Just like with teacher recommendations, you want to give your recommender plenty of time. Reach out at least a month in advance, and even earlier if possible.
3. Ask thoughtfully and explain the process.
Teachers and school counselors are used to being asked to write recommendations. It’s part of the process every year, and they likely don’t need a lot of explanation about the role and process of recommendation letters.
But if you’re asking an Other Recommender who isn’t in a school setting, they may be unfamiliar with the concept. When you ask, be specific about why you’re asking them. Let them know how much you’ve valued their mentorship and explain how you think they might offer a unique perspective on your strengths. A thoughtful ask is far more likely to result in a thoughtful letter.
For example:
“I’m working on my college applications and would love to include a recommendation from someone who knows me outside the classroom. I’ve really appreciated your mentorship through [coaching, job, volunteer work], and I think you’ve seen my growth in a different setting than my teachers have. Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation that speaks to that?”
4. Provide helpful context.
Once they say yes, make it easy for them. Here’s a list of things you could include to help your recommender write an effective letter:
A copy of your resume or activity list
A note about your college goals or intended major
A few bullet points about what you’ve learned or accomplished in your time together
Your earliest college deadline - this is their deadline for submitting your letter!
If they’re unfamiliar with the college process, you might also want to explain how to submit the letter (either through the Common App or directly to the college, depending on the college).
Final Thoughts
Most students do not need to submit an Other Recommendation. If your application already paints a clear and compelling picture through your transcript, essays, activities, and academic recommendations, you’re all set.
But if you have someone in your life who knows you well, who’s seen you grow in a meaningful way outside of school, and who can speak clearly and personally to your strengths, then an Other Recommendation can be a powerful addition.
Be selective. Be strategic. And as always, be thoughtful about what story your full application is telling.