<p>Most of these sorts of letters follow a format: paragraph about the writer, paragraph about lovely family/parents (as if admission people assume otherwise), paragraph summarizing the resume.</p>
<p>I have come across a few “big names” that have done something different, but the number is small compared to the number of letters of this sort that I’ve read. Those notes are refreshing and might help with a borderline case, but they can’t really overshadow the academics in the admission officer’s eyes.</p>
<p>I had the chance to have recs written by some well-known individuals. I opted not to. I knew them, yes, but not THAT well. I asked a couple teachers whom I knew very very well to write me my recommendations, and clearly it turned out fine. If this famous person is your direct boss, and knows you VERY well, then sure. If (s)he’s a family friend, that reallllly reeks of good-old-boy/name-dropping, and I’d bet it would be seen as more of a statement about your family than you. Really, you can’t go wrong with teacher recommendations, especially if they’re glowing.</p>
<p>Well in my case my family had absolutely no connections with the guy I am hoping to write it - I simply joined and eventually rose up in the national organization. By the time of college apps I will have worked with him/under him for about 2 years. I’ll see how our business in DC goes and then probally decide about it.</p>
<p>But in your case, Infinite Truth, you would have a good reason to ask this person for a recommendation even if he wasn’t famous, which makes it very reasonable for you to do so.</p>