<p>"admissions decisions are need blind but when you do get ur fin aid packet it might not be satisfactory."</p>
<p>I wish it were need-blind for internationals too.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Don't feel like carefully parsing this, but it's conclusory and circular.
[/quote]
this quote shows why I love C02. His BS-o-meter has an even lower tolerance threshold than mine.</p>
<p>Anyway, FM, I'm going to disagree with shraf and C02. My own (successful) application was heavily influenced by a very powerful letter that my boss wrote, detailing how much maturity I had gained in the year he had supervised me and telling some good stories. It was a completely supplemental rec, but mine was a complicated application, with lots of upsides and downsides, so I figured the admissions officer wouldn't mind taking an extra minute. Clearly, it paid off - and the officer actually told me, in so many words, that it was "a decisive factor".</p>
<p>If this boss of your mom knows you well, you should take her offer. She needs to be able to tell a story about you overcoming adversity (or the other attributes you list), and tell it from her perspective. Your essay should be something introspective, or something only you can share - but there's no reason that you can't have a character witness when it's your turn on the stand. Ordinarily, your teachers are your best "character witnesses", since they've seen you in action the most. But if this lady can give a side of your story that no teacher can provide, it may be helpful, and at worst it will do no harm.</p>
<p>My logistical suggestion to you is, accept her offer, have her submit one copy sealed and one open copy to you, and read the letter. If it comes across very well, send the sealed copy; if not, just get rid of it and don't send it along (but tell her you did, and thank her regardless). Leave yourself some breathing room. But don't reject the offer out of hand.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My own (successful) application was heavily influenced by a very powerful letter that my boss wrote, detailing how much maturity I had gained in the year he had supervised me and telling some good stories.</p>
<hr>
<p>If this boss of your mom knows you well, you should take her offer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah, I really think we're missing some facts. The key issue is how well -- and in what context -- the boss knows the OP.</p>
<p>i dont think this really parallels denz's story so much since its a HUGE difference that this person is HIS MOM'S boss rather than HIS boss! Because of that it becomes the same situation as having a family member or family friend or neighbor write you a rec....yes, they'll say good things but they really didnt know you on an academic or professional level....just knowing you on a personal level is not enough...anyone can find someone who they only know on a personal level to write them a good rec.</p>
<p>So Denzera you agree with me that it could be worth something, unlike Columbia2002 and Shraf, but disagree that it should only be sent in for RD, which somehow leads you to the unhappy conclusion that my - tentative - suggestion is complete 'BS'? I'm not sure my suggestion warranted such a hostile reaction.. I'm just saying, clearly there's a risk involved, which Shraf and Columbia2002 have flagged up. Why not take the risk when your chances are a lot slimmer?</p>
<p>And Shraf, how many mum's employers would really take the time out a) to care about one of their lowest-level employees' situation b) to get to know their son and c) to offer to write them a recommendation? You think it's exactly the same as going to ask an uncle or a friend?</p>
<p>
[quote]
And Shraf, how many mum's employers would really take the time out a) to care about one of their lowest-level employees' situation b) to get to know their son and c) to offer to write them a recommendation? You think it's exactly the same as going to ask an uncle or a friend?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Your assertion regarding b) is speculation and conjecture. That's really the whole issue.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why not take the risk when your chances are a lot slimmer?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It's not an issue of risk. If the woman knows the OP well and has a basis to write a good rec, the rec is going to be helpful in either the ED or the RD round. If the woman doesn't know the OP in any meaningful way, the rec is going to hurt him in either the ED or the RD round.</p>
<p>Having read all this, I've hatched another idea.</p>
<p>As a supplementary recommendation, I could always ask my boss. Ironically, at one point, my mom worked for the same guy that I work for now, so he's known me even longer than the lady we've discussed up to this point.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I'm not sure how far a recommendation from a grocery store manager would go in Ivy League admissions, even if he does hail me as the best teenage employee he's ever seen, etc etc etc...</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
my mom's boss is a woman that I've known for probably six years now (I am eighteen currently). She thinks highly of me and supports me in my quest, of sorts, to go to Columbia. Last time I talked to her, she mentioned wanting to write Columbia a letter detailing the troubles of my life, how I've continuously come out on top standing in the face of defeat, and how she feels that I am a suitable candidate for the university.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>And I think it is an issue of risk. I think the risk is - will sending this letter backfire? Will it look like he's tried to get the president of some nationally known company to write him a letter simply because she is the president of some nationally known company?</p>
<p>
[quote]
So Denzera you agree with me that it could be worth something, unlike Columbia2002 and Shraf, but disagree that it should only be sent in for RD, which somehow leads you to the unhappy conclusion that my - tentative - suggestion is complete 'BS'? I'm not sure my suggestion warranted such a hostile reaction..
[/quote]
Ace, I was commenting on your style and reasoning, not your conclusion. Regardless of whether I agree with you or not, in whole or in part, your convoluted "logic" in post #15 just came off as BS. In the same way that you BS an english paper. It was a lot in the way of words, and little in the way of saying something. C02 called you out first, I seconded it, and the matter's over in my mind.</p>
<p>What's wrong with the reasoning? Columbia2002 says the issue is me assuming the employer has got to know fabius<em>maximus.. and yet that's something fabius</em>maximus himself suggested in his first post:</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
my mom's boss is a woman that I've known for probably six years now (I am eighteen currently). She thinks highly of me and supports me in my quest, of sorts, to go to Columbia. Last time I talked to her, she mentioned wanting to write Columbia a letter detailing the troubles of my life, how I've continuously come out on top standing in the face of defeat, and how she feels that I am a suitable candidate for the university.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
Having read all this, I've hatched another idea.</p>
<p>As a supplementary recommendation, I could always ask my boss. Ironically, at one point, my mom worked for the same guy that I work for now, so he's known me even longer than the lady we've discussed up to this point.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I'm not sure how far a recommendation from a grocery store manager would go in Ivy League admissions, even if he does hail me as the best teenage employee he's ever seen, etc etc etc...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Anyone have anything to add about this?</p>