<p>I have an aunt who is a professor at Stanford and another who is a professor at JHU. Does that help my chances and if so by how much? I am a competitive student. I would say Wash U to BC/NYU are matches for me.</p>
<p>You should contact the aunts and ask their opinion. They will probably know what influence they can have, if any. </p>
<p>Typically, no, this will not be directly helpful or considered in admissions-- though these people may be able to help you in other ways, like telling you little details about life/culture there that you can work into your essays.</p>