<p>if an alumnus of yale contacts admissions and says some good things on your behalf, could this influence admission decisions? could it make a difference for these if somebody puts in a good word for you? or does stuff like this really not happen?</p>
<p>In general, it’s likely to hurt more than help. The only kind of supplemental recs that are valuable are those provided by someone who has valuable information about you that no one else can provide. That person should be able to provide specific examples of your accomplishments and/or leadership. An alum – even an influential alum – can’t improve your chances of admissions by simply by putting in a good word for you, i.e., attesting to your general intelligence, good character, strong work ethic, etc. The letter would likely be ignored. It could even be perceived as an effort to peddle influence. </p>
<p>As to whether this stuff really happens and whether it helps, I can’t give you any Yale-specific examples, but several years ago an applicant from our community received several letters of support from a then-U.S. Senator who was a highly influential alum and huge donor at one of Yale’s peer schools. The family was absolutely certain the student would get in. He didn’t.</p>
<p>They can put in all the good words they want, but the truth is, that probably won’t influence their decision. At all. Many, many of the applicants are just as well-qualified, so it really won’t make you stand out. At worst, it might miff the adcoms, which probably won’t be good.</p>
<p>Depending on how the good word from the alum is orchestrated, it can hurt you. If it comes across as an applicant trying to make a power play, I think it would be a turn off off for the admissions officers.</p>
<p>wow wjb thats a crazy story. but yea i guess if a senator cant influence admissions then nobody can</p>
<p>^^Now if the applicant were the senator’s own kid, that would be a different story.</p>