<p>i go to one of the top public schools in illinois, have a 5.3 out of 6.0 gpa, a 35 on my ACT, and good extracurriculars. i know that's not nearly enough to get into penn but i also have an alumni connection, and it's not just someone who went there. it's someone who's donated over $100 million, has a scholarship under his name there, created a program to send underprivileged kids to school, was honored with accepting the heisman trophy for the school, has a weight room at the school named after him, gave $20 million in one year to help fund PIK, and has done so much more outside of the school. do you think a rec or a letter or anything from him would help me get into the school?? thanks!</p>
<p>Yes!</p>
<p>It depends on your connection w/the person. Has he directly overseen your work? Does he know you b/c you attended a program he sponsored/is connected with? Please clarify this point.</p>
<p>Surely he’s a constant advocate of Penn and he’s be glad to know you’re interested. But he also knows that he’s not going to cash in his chits (albeit many) to vouch for someone who is only a passing acquaintance. If you were his relative, it’d be a no-brainer – but then, that would be done though a phone call to his contact at the Development office. </p>
<p>As such, just because you’ve been in the same room with him means little. Even an introduction by him would be done with the full understanding of what it is: simply an introduction. He would not expect Penn admissions to give you special dispensation. And what could he write in a rec letter for you? “I know ghenessy and he/she seems nice. I can’t tell you how he/she reads or writes or works – but please give the app a fill lookover”</p>
<p>The answer, ultimately is: “it depends”</p>
<p>You say you have an “alumni connection”. If that means friend, then not as much help. If that means close relative, then yes that can absolutely help. They should call or write a letter on your behalf…especially if you’re a close family relative versus very distant / just friend of family. Can you clarify your relationship?</p>
<p>Watch your wording on any app too though, as I may be misunderstanding things in your OP. You say “alumni connection…honored with accepting the Heisman trophy for the school”. But I see no UPenn student on this list that ever received the Heisman Trophy (<a href=“http://www.heisman.com/index.php/heismanWinners”>A look at defensive linemen in the Heisman vote - Heisman). Unless you’re a close relative of John Heisman, Upenn grad and Upenn coach that the Heisman Trophy was named after (<a href=“http://www.archives.upenn.edu/people/1800s/heisman_john.html”>Aaron Albert Mossell).</p>
<p>^ The OP is referring to this (and his/her “connection” is identified in the article):</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/node/3230”>http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/current/node/3230</a></p>
<p>Use some common sense! You know how the first rule of Fight Club is you never talk about Fight Club? Well, the first rule of using influence to get into college is you never, ever talk about it.</p>
<p>There’s no question that someone like the person in that article could get you into Penn if he wanted to. The only question is whether he wants to – how much he is willing to help you. It may be a little, a lot, or no help at all. Maybe he’ll write you a recommendation, which might be a little help, depending on what it says. Maybe he’ll make a phone call, which may be a little more help, depending on what he says. Maybe he’ll call the right person and say the right things . . . But you can’t figure that out on CC – you have to ask him directly. That’s the only source of relevant information. </p>
<p>And if you were going to do that, to ask for his help, why in Heaven’s name would you embarrass him, yourself, and Penn by bragging about it on a message board (or to your friends at school, or pretty much to anyone)? </p>
<p>You are trying to be a successful person, go to a top university, have a great career, right? Well, the first thing you have to do is to start acting like that kind of person, start being that kind of person. And that kind of person would not start this kind of thread. Don’t do it again.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t do it. It just makes you look like you don’t have confidence that you will make it through the admissions committee and are trying to get in through the back door.</p>
<p>I think a legitimate recommendation from a “connection” is absolutely with it. The only thing you have to answer to yourself is whether the connection is legit or not. A standard form letter of bland support won’t help as much as a highly personalized recommendation from someone who knows you fairly well. </p>
<p>You could write about your personal connection as an inspiration if that is so for why you want to go to Penn and why as part of an essay you submit.</p>
<p>It’s too risky, and like someone else said it seems you are trying to get a back door admission. I would rather get in knowing I was admitted through my own merit. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>Haha, the “Penn” and “Heisman Trophy” caught my eye – my great-uncle was Reds Bagnell at Penn …</p>
<p>“A sports legend in Philadelphia, Reds Bagnell was considered one of the best college tailbacks in America in 1950 when he set two national single-game records for total offense and placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Vic Janowicz of Ohio State and Kyle Rote of Southern Methodist.”</p>
<p>Well, third is better than not at all! </p>
<p>How well does your ‘connection’ know you? Are you related?
Why would he write a recommendation for you?</p>
<p>BTW, my son knows your connection(if it’s the person mentioned in 45percenter’s article)well, sees him several times a week, met him after he graduated from Wharton.</p>
<p>Like @JHS said, the OP has already broken the rule by giving identifiers. Blabbed about the connection. If word gets back to him, you can bet no letter will be forthcoming.</p>