<p>my son is most interested in Yale. He has the grades/scores needed,but his ECS are
questionable - Impressive but certainly not extraordinary. Essay not yet written.
Both my cousin and his son are Yale grads. I think also that my cousins contributes
to Yale generously.
That being said would it help and or hurt if my cousin were to write a letter on behalf of my son
Personally, it seems rather inappropriate- but what do I know?? This is my first time with the college application experience. And I have heard that a letter of this kind can help or hurt.
So I thought I'd ask here for feedback </p>
<p>“Supplementary materials can provide broader context to some parts of your application, but they can just as often be superfluous and distracting. For example, a letter from someone who supervised your extracurricular research project may answer important questions about the work you’ve done. But a third recommendation that raves about you, just as your other letters do, will not necessarily enhance your application. In fact, it may dilute the effect of the two required recommendations.”</p>
<p>Has your kid ever worked with your cousin in any sort of meaningful, long term way where is work, talent, academics can be evaluated and commented on? (i.e. been employed, done research, done projects etc for your cousin?) Then it’s a possibility. If They have a typical uncle/nephew relationship, then, no, it would look terrible. Also, annual contributions to a university doesn’t really matter too much, unless you are at the level of having buildings or wings named after the donor (such 1 M - 100 M range)</p>
<p>Please do not have a rec letter written by a relative!!! To the college adcom, it looks pretty suspicious because obviously, the relative won’t write anything bad about your son. In some ways, it looks dishonest because the relative is obligated to write great things. Are there any other people in your son’s life that know him extremely well and can write a fantastic, yet honest, recommendation for him?</p>
<p>of course
Honestly bothmy son and I have been against havinga relative writea letter for all of the obvious reasonjs- it is just that there have been some aquaintances that have stated that a letter from my cousin would be beneficial - and as with all else in life
it all depend s on just who you ask
That being said I have decided that we wiill simply pass ( kind of a relief as I am not really friends with and or comfortable with my cousin and I kind of dreaded asking him ) So its a win -win all around. Thanks very much</p>