<p>@AnnieBeats = why are you being so rude to the OP? I don’t see someone who is entitled at all; this trustee is a personal acquaintance, not some friend of dad’s. Why would anyone NOT use such a recommendation? And how could it be of little value? How do you know this connections is “not in the least bit strong?” You seem to make a lot of definitive statements about stuff you couldn’t possibly know about, and then chastise anyone who might point out that your assumptions may not be correct. I’m sorry, but in many of your posts you seem more interested in being right and winning a debate than you do in giving sound advice to young people who are seeking it. Had to speak my piece.</p>
<p>OP = as with any internet site, you’ve got to weed out a lot of the information. Good critical thinking practice for a prospective college student.</p>
<p>@blprof I have read dozens of college admissions books. And have gone through the college process with my daughter. I’m not just giving out misinformation. Supplemental LORs usually do more harm than good, especially when it gives the appearance of a Hail Mary attempt to get in. I’m not fighting. I honestly don’t care that much. But when you actually do research and talk to admissions counselors and consultants and watch videos from inside the decision room, you will see that schools that AREN’T Harvard, deplore when students have a connection with that school. It reeks of entitlement. That’s the cold hard truth. Idk what to tell you. The OP said that her “connection with a trustee (who is probably just as alum)” is one of her reasons for applying to Harvard REA. I’m letting the record be known that that will do nothing for her Harvard application. It doesn’t appear as though the additional letter will be highlighting anything that isn’t already stated in the other 3 letters. The last thing you want to do is seem desperate OR give your admissions rep more work. That in and of itself can get you rejected. My bluntness is frequently seen as argumentative. I’m not trying to argue with anyone or hurt their feelings. But I am also not going to give a student false sense of hope and lie to them. Sorry, that’s just not who I am.</p>
<p>“It doesn’t appear as though the additional letter will be highlighting anything that isn’t already stated in the other 3 letters.”</p>
<p>@AnnieBeats It seems like you don’t know that serious musicians ALWAYS have supplemental recommendation letters from their private teachers or conductors. Because he is my violin teacher, he will offer a very different take than what my school teachers will present. And if you think this is untrue, this is because you don’t understand the dynamic of musicians and their teachers.</p>
<p>OP, if it is just about the music, why did you feel the need to mention that he is a related to Harvard? My point is that having someone who is related to Harvard write a rec isn’t going to help you get into Harvard and it’s hardly a reason to choose to apply to Harvard through early action. You are trying to use a gimmick to help you get in. They see past that. YOU don’t seem to understand that and it’s because you don’t seem to understand the “dynamics” of the college admissions process. I’m done posting on this thread. You can feel free to do what you want. I’m just trying to help you. If you choose to go another route, that’s your problem. Not mine. Have a nice day.</p>