Sorry, we are currently not able to write any letters of recommendation 🙁
We’re trying to resolve the issue, but for now please don’t ask us for recommendations.
We may be able to write you a letter of recommendation!
While club sports are not able to recruit athletes like varsity teams do, we are able to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of Yale College applicants with an “interest or ability” in gymnastics.
But please read this first:
Since we won’t just write a letter of recommendation for anyone who just tells us they “really like gymnastics”, we require that Yale College applicants who are looking for a recommendation from Club Gymnastics show a demonstrated interest and ability in gymnastics. Essentially we just want to make sure that you will actually join the club and hopefully take responsibility if admitted to Yale.
While we are always happy about new motivated members without any prior gymnastics experience, we won’t be able to write a recommendation if you have never done gymnastics or “only done it for a semester in high school”. You definitely don’t need to be a level 10 gymnast either, but you should have been actively involved in the sport in the past.
Don’t worry, we won’t write anything bad.
If we decide to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf we will never write anything that’s “bad” or “just mediocre”. Remember: if we put in the effort to write you this thing we definitely want you in our club! So if you have been involved in gymnastics an are interested in the club, just give it a shot and ask us. Worst thing that can happen is that we say no. (…and we probably won’t)
Write us an e-mail!
If you have looked through our webpage, read the information above and decided that you want to ask us for a letter of recommendation, then please write an email to president@yaleclubgymnastics.com. Please include a few sentences about yourself and your involvement in gymnastics. We will get back to you with information about how to proceed. (We will probably ask you to chat with us on the phone or via skype, and for one or two videos demonstrating your gymnastics skills.) If you don’t hear back from us for a while, please try reaching out to the members listed under Executive Board.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Here’s the original section from the Club Sports Handbook:
“University Admissions
1.
There is no admissions distinction provided to an applicant who has interest or ability in a particular club sport.
2.
A letter of recommendation regarding an applicant with interest or ability in a particular club sport may be submitted to the Admissions Office. It will then be added to the applicant’s file via his/her social security number.
3.
Applicants interested or talented in a sport will be referred to that club via their club sport mailbox or e-mail. It is the duty of each club to provide detailed information about its activities to inquiring individuals.”