How much do connections help?

Applying to College
1

I’m not talking just being a legacy … how much of an effect does knowing someone in the admissions office, or knowing someone well on the board of trustees at a school, have on your admissions?

2

<p>Technically, it shouldn't affect/increase your chances of admission. But depending on who you know, it could make a difference.</p>

<p>Knowing someone well on the board of trustees may not be enough. Make sure to let the board member know your applying so they can followup on your application. Basically, if your connections aren't obvious, make sure your admission officer finds out.</p>

3

<p>It depends upon how much they want to go to bat for you. A trustee can pull strings for a FEW people over the years. Someone in admissions who pulld for you needs to have a second person do so to, if not more. The people they'll do this for are usually family members or very close friends. Having a friend of an uncle in a high place will probably not help you.</p>

<p>And Remember many trustees are major donors and their family would then constitute development candidates.</p>

<p>If you are one of the lucky ones someone important goes out on a limb for, you still need to be in range for the school.</p>

4

<p>Let's say you are a borderline admit, and know someone on the board of trustees pretty well (at say, Stanford). Or, let's say that your dad is on the board of trustees at one of the graduate schools (let's say NYU Law School) and you are a good match to the College of Arts & Sciences, but are a moderate reach for Stern.</p>

5

<p>Then you're probably good to go...(the dad on the board that is)</p>

6

<p>I have a question somewhat related to the OP's question. Georgetown is a Catholic, Jesuit college; I currently attend the highest ranked Jesuit high school in the country and am Catholic. My stats are in Georgetown's range, but does going to a Jesuit high school and being Catholic help in the admissions process? (I think this question is related to the OP's because religion is still some affiliation [as are connections] with the college in question). Thanks for the help.</p>

7

<p>Bump for the original question: how much do connections like above help?</p>

8

<p>Bumpity bump bump</p>

9

<p>You can keep bumping this, but the issue is that almost no one knows. Some people have tested these waters, but they are extremely few and far between. There is no doubt that there are individuals at every college that can get someone in the door. There are also many who pretend they can. The bottom line is, those with enough clout know it and know how to use it. They know where they can push and how often. So if it's your dad, he will know. If it's a friend, listen to what he says and decide if you believe him.</p>

10

<p>Connections help. It is how our "little" world works.
If you know someone at a higher position, you would not have to work as hard to reach his/her level.</p>

<p>How do you think George W. Bush was accepted to Yale? Was it his OUTSTANDING average, or was it his unique-ness? An indolent, acholoic applied to the top school in the country. It doesn't happen everyday...</p>

<p>Or maybe it was because his father was President of the United States.</p>

<p>Connections. It gets you here to there.</p>

<p>Just like an airlines flight. In fact, it's cheaper than a one-way. </p>

<p>So you see, connections are benefical -- no matter what way you look at it.</p>

11

<p>a little correction, kb88: w. bush's father was not president at the time he was admitted to yale.</p>

<p>we democrats/liberals have to get the facts correct or else those conservatives are going to leap all over us.</p>

1 Like
12

<p>right... he was director of the CIA... no potential connections there...</p>

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<p>Right, right. Bush's father was not President, yet.</p>

<p>Please redirect yourself from my post, and read the above.</p>

1 Like
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<p>While Bush Senior wasn't president, both he and his father had already gone to Yale, and were wealthy enough that they probably donated a lot of money to Yale. So Bush Jr was a double legacy, and probably a development admit.</p>

<p>On the other hand, we liberals do have to admit that Bush must have some sort of intelligence. To become president, even if he didn't get the popular vote his first time, by a small enough margin that it's possible to buy your way in, and then his second time actually achieve a popular vote... I don't think one can claim that he doesn't have charisma. That sort of thing can filter through on an application, or in an interview...</p>

1 Like
15

<p>I smell a conspiracy!!!</p>

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<p>Actually, at the time, Bush was neither President (of course) nor CIA director. He was simply a Congressman when the current President entered Yale University.</p>

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<p>No, Bush senior was the CIA Director.</p>

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<p>George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States (1989–1993). Previously, he had served as ambassador to the United Nations (1971–1973), ** director of the CIA 1976–1977 **, and the 43rd Vice President of the United States under President Ronald Reagan (1981–1989).</p>

<p>Like his father, Bush was educated at Phillips Academy (Andover), (September 1961–June 1964) ** and at Yale University (September 1964–May 1968). ** At Yale, he joined Delta Kappa Epsilon (of which he was president from October 1965 until graduation) and the Skull and Bones secret society. He was a C student, with a grade point average of 2.35 out of 4.00. He played baseball and rugby union during his freshman and senior years. He received a bachelor's degree in history in 1968.</p>

<p>Source: Wikipedia</p>