<p>If you have connections to a politically famous person and get a rec letter from him or her, does it help?</p>
<p>The whole thing seems kind of corrupt and see-through fake to me. Isn't it better for the additional rec to be from someone who actually knows you?</p>
<p>No to the first question, yes to the second. Getting a Rec from a famous person usually seems to admins that you pulled in a favor to get the Rec with the pretty name. Colleges don’t care who recommends you, they care WHY someone would recommend you. Go with someone who knows you well. A personal letter from a teacher is ten times better than a generic letter from a politician.</p>
<p>My rationale exactly.</p>
<p>Just to be certain, though, even if it’s the U.N. General Secretary?</p>
<p>I know someone famous as well who, coincidentally also, was an ambassador to the UN</p>
<p>We are family friends and my parents are pretty close to them, but I have only met him twice- once when I was really young and again recently</p>
<p>I decided not to get a rec, it would seem kind of desperate to me. And unless I did an intern with him or spent enough time to where he knew me well, I would ask.</p>
<p>Thats just my opinion/my decision- If anyone else has any insight, who knows, I might change my mind</p>
<p>The usual goal is letters from professional educators- ie, teachers. (Some colleges even note this on their web sites.) They know the format and the details relevant to adcoms. They also should know your qualities both as their student and as an individual. Outside letters can be vague and give adcoms no beter idea of how you would fit and thrive at their school. The exception can be an extra letter from a particular coach, mentor or supervisor, when that specific activity is relevant to the college experience you hope for. Your decision. But, what exactly do you think the Secretary General could say that would advance your chances of an admit?</p>
<p>^
Nothing, I’ve never even met him before and he doesn’t know me. My dad knows him, though, and said he could ask for a rec letter. Just checking to make sure it wasn’t a good idea.</p>