<p>I know it wont help much, but my great grandpa went to yale for some period of time in the 1920's. Can i mention it, or will it hurt me cuz it seems like im using it?</p>
<p>It won’t help it all. Don’t bother.</p>
<p>if your great-grandfather founded an organization, became well-known, was the first in something, or donated a large sum of money, then it can help
if your great-grandfather, great great grandfather, and great great great grandfather went to yale and the chain was broken, then you should write him down</p>
<p>if not, then it won’t help</p>
<p>well, im gonna put it as long as it wont hurt me. can anyone comment on that.</p>
<p>and if it means something, the circumstances under which he came is historically of really significant value (big big event, wont specify, but take my word on it), so my grandparents and my parents never even got to apply to yale (let alone study in america)</p>
<p>It won’t hurt you :]</p>
<p>I don’t know if it will help, per se, but I really can’t think of a reason why it would hurt you.</p>
<p>Doesn’t the application specify what kind of relatives they want you to mention? I haven’t looked at this year’s application, but in the past I think I remember a question asking if any parent or grandparent had attended Yale.</p>
<p>There’s also a section to mention anyone who doesn’t fit those categories.</p>
<p>If your great-grandfather’s study at Yale had real historic significance and it really matters to you - say, that he was, say, the first student from country x to study at Yale - it would be worth mentioning, especially if you can make a case about it mattering to you and to what you believe you can contribute to Yale, why not?</p>
<p>If your great-grandfather’s study at Yale was connected with say, being a yo-yo champion, then probably not. </p>
<p>It depends on how you contextualize it. How it matters and how you make the case that it is relevant to you and to Yale.</p>
<p>It won’t help you and it may hurt due to an appearance of desperation.</p>
<p>^No, no, it won’t come off as completely desperate. I mean, in their supplement, Yale specifically asks for relatives who are somewhat related to Yale University. Perfect place to just fill a line in, that’s all.</p>
<p>I totally agree with EngProfMom. Your posts suggest greatgrandpa came to Yale, left, then the next two generations lived in a political climate with limited freedoms, and now your generation is free again. I’m not sure if that is the story but if it is something along those lines you could certainly mention it. Just don’t expect the story to help you overcome any deficiencies in your academic credentials when it comes to admissions decisions.</p>
<p>Put it down. It won’t hurt, hell I put my cousins down. Of course it prolly won’ thelp either.</p>
<p>Dont write about your grandparents and father, from what you’ve said I’d say it could only hurt.</p>
<p>yeah, all i intended to do anyways was to just mention him in that extra box really fast and just mention the significant historical event i was talking about (not significant in the sense that if i said it people would know it, but something that let some people from a country study at american schools). hope they know what im talking about.</p>