<p>You get duds at the private schools too. If you are unlucky enough that your kid is assigned someone who is not good, it is a problem if he is applying to schools that scrutinze the GC's recs. In a case like that, it is wise to include a few schools where the impact of those recs are not as great. Some schools do not require a GC rec, just one significant person's. And the larger schools do not do more than skim the ref or just look to see if that piece of paper was submitted if even required.</p>