Letter of Rec from Alum

[Anonymous]

Helpful in a meaningful way or likely not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Helpful in a meaningful way or likely not?

Take alum out of the equation. Get recommendation from someone who can speak well of your child, and has evidence to back it up.

[Anonymous]

I think it can help show fit. IMO They discount a lot of the alumni interviewers, but they'll take a good look at a one-off rec from an alumn that doesn't normally send them things (provided that they have real experience with the applicant of course).

[Anonymous]

Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

A plain ole "letter of rec from an alum" that is not a board member, big donor, professor, or someone who knows the applicant in a supervisory or other similar manner, will look like you're trying to make up for a weakness somewhere else in the application. What exactly do you think it adds (this kid will be a great alum one day, who matches our values, is not helpful, nor good enough). Don't let it be a red flag at any T20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

A plain ole "letter of rec from an alum" that is not a board member, big donor, professor, or someone who knows the applicant in a supervisory or other similar manner, will look like you're trying to make up for a weakness somewhere else in the application. What exactly do you think it adds (this kid will be a great alum one day, who matches our values, is not helpful, nor good enough). Don't let it be a red flag at any T20.

NAH I think you're kid didn't submit one and you're nervous. I think from an alum that has kept up with the school and really knows the applicant as a person, it can help a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

A plain ole "letter of rec from an alum" that is not a board member, big donor, professor, or someone who knows the applicant in a supervisory or other similar manner, will look like you're trying to make up for a weakness somewhere else in the application. What exactly do you think it adds (this kid will be a great alum one day, who matches our values, is not helpful, nor good enough). Don't let it be a red flag at any T20.

NAH I think you're kid didn't submit one and you're nervous. I think from an alum that has kept up with the school and really knows the applicant as a person, it can help a lot.

*your* kid, sorry

I guess the truth is, we don't know but can only hope for the best

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

A plain ole "letter of rec from an alum" that is not a board member, big donor, professor, or someone who knows the applicant in a supervisory or other similar manner, will look like you're trying to make up for a weakness somewhere else in the application. What exactly do you think it adds (this kid will be a great alum one day, who matches our values, is not helpful, nor good enough). Don't let it be a red flag at any T20.

NAH I think you're kid didn't submit one and you're nervous. I think from an alum that has kept up with the school and really knows the applicant as a person, it can help a lot.

Weirdo.
I don't have a kid applying this cycle. Kid is a junior. Have 2 in college (yes both T20). Did it for neither - though we debated it and researched it heavily.
The one school we've heard that it "may" help is Wake Forest.
That's why I said school matters.
You do you.

[Anonymous]

OP here:

Top 20 school (not slac)

Letter of recommendation is for “other” (not counselor or teacher) bc of kid’s leadership and extensive impact. Letter is excellent (superlatives and lots of examples).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here:

Top 20 school (not slac)

Letter of recommendation is for “other” (not counselor or teacher) bc of kid’s leadership and extensive impact. Letter is excellent (superlatives and lots of examples).

Let me Clarify:

So as an example, kid volunteers teaching a finance class at a school for low income kids for many years and letter writer knows abt that bc letter writer is a director of the ec program at the school.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think this moves the needle much from what I have heard. Counselor said don’t throw any rec letters unless on the board or building-level type donor - and they should know your kid very well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly depends on the school. At most selective schools I know it can actually hurt. If the person is a professor or otherwise has major clout that is different.

What school?

That's not categorically true. The truth is it depends on the letter writer, what they say, and the candidate.

A plain ole "letter of rec from an alum" that is not a board member, big donor, professor, or someone who knows the applicant in a supervisory or other similar manner, will look like you're trying to make up for a weakness somewhere else in the application. What exactly do you think it adds (this kid will be a great alum one day, who matches our values, is not helpful, nor good enough). Don't let it be a red flag at any T20.

NAH I think you're kid didn't submit one and you're nervous. I think from an alum that has kept up with the school and really knows the applicant as a person, it can help a lot.

I agree with the PP, and I have 2 degrees from HYPS universities and interview for them, so I have some basis to know. You on the other hand are rude and ignorant and should learn the difference between "your" and "you're."

[Anonymous]

No not helpful at all

[Anonymous]

It doesn't help at all and it feels desperate and manipulative.

I saw a few people try this last cycle and it did nothing. You run the risk of annoying the admissions staffers.