<p>How many of you guys are planning on submitting this? I feel like if I have anyone write it, it will just appear to be really biased and not have much merit. At the same time, though, I want to do everything possible to stand out as an applicant and to show Duke that I am as interested as possible. What do you guys think/what did the people who wrote your letters talk about?</p>
<p>My S attends and the dean in charge of admissions actually told students that they do look at those letters form parents describing their child. Intuitively I would have thought that a parent letter might not carry a lot of weight. Duke does read the letters and takes them into consideration and a well written letter from a parent can be a deciding factor.</p>
<p>I'd say do it. Obviously the admissions officers know that there will be positive bias (Unless your relative secretly harbors a grudge or something), but they are getting something that they can't get from anywhere else - the chance to find out more about you from someone (other than yourself) who has known you for a long long time and, in the case, of a parent, someone who has lived with you since you were born. That gives the letter writer a unique perspective on things and intimate knowledge of your personality, character, etc. and that's what the admissions officer is looking for amongst all that bias and positivity :)</p>
<p>Okay, thanks so much for the responses. I am going to have my mom write it, I think I would feel kind of weird about not submitting anything. I was just curious about how big a part the letter could actually play, but I've definitely been convinced to send it!</p>
<p>I wrote one for my D, and the regional Duke person told my D's guidance counselor that it was what he remembered .</p>
<p>I wrote letters for each of my sons. After they were admitted, their admissions officer commented that she was moved by my letter, but it had no impact on them being admitted.</p>
<p>We have a neighbor who is an alum and has known me forever and offered to write a letter for me. Should I use that as the letter in my admission packet, or have a family member write one and have the neighbor send a letter separately. If so, do you think it will get read?</p>
<p>Thanks. I had my dad write a letter, and I think that it turned out pretty well.</p>
<p>catherine: I'm applying '09 too, so I don't really know, but I would think that it would really just depend on your relationship with the neighbor. If it is someone whom you are good friends with and who could write a very personal letter or give some anecdote about you, I would say go for it. Otherwise I would probably have a family member write one.</p>