How much influence does a college professor's recommendation have?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>My dad has friends who are professors at a couple schools that I'm interested in applying to. I have done intern work with some of them and they sort of know me, so I'm confident they would write me a recommendation letter if I asked.</p>

<p>My question is, does it have any sizable influence if you have a recommendation letter from a professor of the college you're applying to? For example, if I get a letter from one of the top professors at Boston College, would that help my chances by a lot or just be a tiny extra perk on top of everything else?</p>

2

<p>Your goal should be someone who can write compelling anecdotes abour your classroom achievement.</p>

<p>You said this: “I have done intern work with some of them and they sort of know me, so I’m confident they would write me a recommendation letter if I asked.” Which means they might be nice to you but have nothing substantial to say. Is that what you want?</p>

<p>An enthusiastic, first year HS teacher will have a more influential note to write than some prof. It’s not who writes it, it’s about what the rec letter says about you.</p>