Current family writing a letter in support of applicant

[Anonymous]

A family we know wants to write a letter on our behalf in support of our DC’s middle school application. This family has a child at the school. When is this a good idea? When is it a bad idea? Have you ever written a letter in support of another applicant? How did it go? What is appropriate or not appropriate to include?

[Anonymous]

You might have to name the school, because I suppose it depends on the institution.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP. We are applying to Potomac. Should we get a current family to write us a recommendation?

We know several families relatively well. They are our neighbors, coworkers, colleagues.

[Anonymous]

I think if the family offers it can’t hurt. Maybe they have a good relationship with the admissions team and think their letter will be impactful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not the OP. We are applying to Potomac. Should we get a current family to write us a recommendation?

We know several families relatively well. They are our neighbors, coworkers, colleagues.

Do they know your child well enough to write specifically about him/her? If yes, then go for it. If they're just going to write that you're a nice family, skip it, unless you know that family is somehow really influential at the school.

[Anonymous]

I'd be careful about this and ask around for anyone you know who works in school admissions (rather than this board.)

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on if the school is your top choice. You don’t really want to have someone write you a recommendation to a school you probably won’t attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on if the school is your top choice. You don’t really want to have someone write you a recommendation to a school you probably won’t attend.

This. If you do this, you really have to show up if given a spot. We couldn't say this in good faith so we did't do it.

[Anonymous]

Unless the family it particularly influential (big donors/board members) I can't imagine it would do anything.

[Anonymous]

Most already mentioned…I know the case when the family who wrote the letter not only had a child enrolled in school but also a parent was the graduate of the school and currently a board member so the letter did help…so it has to be an influential family not just any.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless the family it particularly influential (big donors/board members) I can't imagine it would do anything.

I disagree. It shows you are a serious applicant.