<p>I was recently deferred by Columbia University ED. I want to send in a Letter of Rec from my aunt and/or my cousin, who are both talented writers. I think this might be inappropriate, but I wanted your opinion.</p>
<p>***I also want to send this letter of rec to the other colleges I am applying to.</p>
<p>The thing is, at this point, I think my family members (and especially my Aunt) would be the only people who would be able to provide a new perspective on me to the Admissions officers. I have my senior-year teachers or my school principal, but they would only be able to say that I'm "diligent, hardworking, and studious" and blah blah blah. They wouldn't say anything outstanding or unique, whereas I know someone like my Aunt would be able to say that I was fun-loving, well-read, imaginative, etc.</p>
<p>I know it would be a powerful, swaying letter. Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>Do you have a special relationship with your aunt and/or cousin ? I mean, were they teachers or sport coaches of yours ? Or did you work for them ?</p>
<p>If the only link is that you are family, i don’t see how such a recommendation can be useful. Obviously, as you stated, they are not going to say the same things as teachers, because they are not objective. And it’s obvious your aunt is going to say you are the best kid in the world etc… It would be a great letter from your view point, but seen by admission officers it would be most likely worthless. Now if you have a special story with them like i stated before, it’s different.</p>
<p>But most schools have a limited amount of recommendations they accept. And y for schools who require recommendations i would certainly not rely on family recs only. If you have a limited amount of recs available i would think twice before using them with family recs.</p>
<p>But of course this is just some personal advice. Ask your counselor or other professionals in the field for some more serious tips :)</p>
<p>It’s a bad idea. There’s no objectivity so the LOR from them, as family members (who have not had you as a student or employee) is basically worthless to colleges.</p>