<p>I know this UVA professor who can write me a reference letter.</p>
<p>Will that help my chance of getting accepted to UVA?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know this UVA professor who can write me a reference letter.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What do you mean by "know"? Are they a family friend, someone you worked for, or what?</p>
<p>Oh hello entomom,</p>
<p>She is my good friend's mother : )
What do you think?</p>
<p>Absolutely no. Your recs should mainly be from people who have done academic work or research with you. Not just from someone that knows you, regardless of that person's job.</p>
<p>Agree with BP, recs should only be people who you know you well either in an academic or work situation. No matter what the person's position, if they are only a friend or family member, a rec from them will not be helpful to your application.</p>
<p>How bout a rec from someone who you've worked for because they're a family friend?</p>
<p>Do the rec if the person knows YOU.</p>
<p>Yeah if you've helped out or done work with that professor definitely go for it.<br>
BE SURE, however, that the professor addresses you in their letter, not something along the lines of "if _________ is as smart as his mother is, then..."</p>