I’m applying to a top 10 school ED and have been told by two college counselors I have a great shot (URM). I just found out another person from my school has a letter of rec from Barack Obama though (they are URM too). There’s four of us applying to the school ED and I’m decent friends with everyone else applying and I’m pretty sure I have a better app, but will the letter of rec make a difference. For reference we get one kid a year into the school so that’s why I am worried.
Is this real? No letter from a top name will swing a kid in wihout th right content. Since you imply you’re “pretty decent” friends with this kid, did he work with O, did he have any impact, is he a great mover and shaker who accomplished something with O? Something the target college values? Or this is just some random “I met him and he seems nice” letter?
In fact, I doubt O would write the “nice” letter, he’s busy with bigger issues. I think maybe someone is funning with you.
In order tyo give yourself your own best shot, you need to be on top of what the college looks for. This isn’t just about how you did in hs, but how you match what the college wants. Be sure you have a god idea of this.
I very much wish this was a joke. I go to a mildly elite private school on the East Coast and her parents are famous in the music production industry (wouldn’t know the name if I said it but if you research they’re decently famous).
I’m not worried about myself but the fact that the college takes a single kid a year from my school is nervewracking because it makes it the whole process competitive.
But no they’ve never worked together; I believe they are just family friends
In general, family pull with a famous person is not a tip. You do your own best, be pleased with your app and supps when you hit the submit button. The rest is beyond your control.
If they like two, they could take two. I am wondering where you are that your target’s history is only one. A lot depends on other local hs, applicants fom those, public or private. Best wishes.
Unless he grew up playing with the Obama girls and President Obama has been to his house to pick up the kids, then it’s a waste of time.
And even if they are close family friends, Barak Obama’s presidency is HIS accomplishment, not your classmates. It’s still just a letter of recommendations.
Agree with those above. Unless the letter from BO adds new and compelling information to the applicant’s profile it’s no more than a novelty. Schools understand that influential people often write such letters for the children of friends or associates simply because they’ve been asked to and they want to maintain the relationship. The real questions are: Would admitting this kid make it more likely Barack or Michelle would visit campus? Would it increase the possibility they would support the college in some other way as donors, or sending their child there? Would not admitting the student upset them to the point where they would withdraw current support? My strong suspicion is that the answer to these questions would be “no” and that the college will know this and act accordingly.
The greater danger is that your classmate may be seen as a development admit if his parents have been highly successful in their industry. That could give him a leg up. In any case, schools really don’t have quotas. It’s coincidental that the school in question has only found one candidate a year worthy of admittance.
All you can do is put out the best application you can and hope for the best. Good luck.
Just be the best you can be and don’t worry about it. Control what you can control. Let your application and essays reflect the best you.
I talked to my college counselor and she said it won’t affect my admission to the school. “We haven’t had trouble getting kids into top schools before and even though X college typically takes 1 a year, I have no doubt they would take 2”. I’m gonna stop worrying about it.
Good. Stop worrying. If this college has accepted only one applicant a year from your HS, it is because they only liked one, not because it’s their policy. If they like two, they’ll accept two, and if they like all four of you, they’ll take all four.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread; there’s nothing left to say except to reinforce:
No college has a min/max/quota;past results do not guarantee future performance.
I totally agree. Good luck.