So I have a few family friends who are pretty close and know quite a bit about my college process, they happen to be somewhat wealthy and have donated buildings, libraries etc. to some of the schools I am interested in. Would mentioning their relationship to me have any effect on my application? If so, how would I go about disclosing this? Thanks
They would need to write their own letters of recommendation for you.
You don’t mention it on any application.
Agree. It would also be very helpful if you met with them before they wrote the letter (and they may well insist on doing so) before they write a letter in support of your application. You should not mention it in your application-- you have no right to invoke the donors name and implied support without their consent.
If independent of your application, the contact the school’s development office, then something might be done. But I fully expect that they’ll tell them a cursory and polite, “we’ll look over the app carefully”. After all, your friends have no earthly idea of your actual viability. You could be a shoo-in or a zero chancer. If the latter, they’re not going to call in all their favors to get you in – you’re simply not that related to them for them to consider this.
And don’t ask for a LOR for your application. It’s not as if you were their employee or student. Their inserting a rec letter about you b/c they like your family is at best, worthless. At worst, a naked name grab and make you look desperate.
Some family friends would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. If they know you well and can speak of you highly, it probably couldn’t hurt- of course, this depends on how well connected they are to the school and administration.
Anyone who donates buildings is not “somewhat” wealthy.
We are very good friends with a family whose name appears on multiple structures at a college my D was accepted to. Mind you, their names were put on the buildings decades ago and the family isn’t what they once were in terms of wealth. But it never occurred to her to mention the family, or to ask for a recommendation. They aren’t family, they are friends. You should stand on your own merits.
@yonceonhismouth I think LORs by people who are not your teacher, mentor, employer or coach – water down the application – they add nothing other than to testify you’re a nice kid and “deserving” I highly advise against submitting LORs from well meaning, even if well-connected, friends. But colleges want this: http://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/writingrecs