<p>Would it help at all if my first choice school is Harvard and I had a recommendation from a teacher that graduated from Harvard? Obviously it would have to be a good recommendation, but I'm pretty sure that it would be. Would the fact that he went to Harvard matter at all?</p>
<p>i highly doubt it.</p>
<p>Darn. (10 characters)</p>
<p>It can help in this way: your teacher knows what it takes to be at H, the type of student that excelled at H. If he/she feels you equate, then I think it would be seriously considered. As an alumni interviewer for another HYPS school, a measure that they ask of us in our write-ups is "can you see this person with you as a student when you were attending?".</p>
<p>If your teacher feels strongly about this -- and you really stand out amongst the many students he/she has had, then I think it would be a boost. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>The teacher in question has also done alumni interviews for Harvard in the past; I'm not sure whether he still does due to some circumstances. Would that possibly make a difference? </p>
<p>On a somewhat related note, would they ever set me up for an interview with someone I already know--like this teacher if he still does interviews?</p>
<p>Is it possible? Yes -- it could slip by. It would be highly unethical for this acquaintance to agree to interview you -- especially since he is a rec writer. I'd imagine he would inform the interview coordinator as such and refer you to someone else.</p>
<p>For our alumni interviewing group, we don't even interview the year we have a graduating senior who is applying to our alma mater -- to reduce any hint of conflict of interest.</p>