<p>I have a friend applying to a very prestigious university. I am the valedictorian of my class and can honestly say, this person is the smartest person I have ever met. Unfortunately, his rank/GPA put him at about 150/700 students- not great enough for the university he is applying to.</p>
<p>He applied for early decision on 11/1. I just wrote up a letter as a recommendation for him- without being asked and without his consent. It has a pretty powerful and unique message, and I know it captures more of his character than any of his other letters did.</p>
<p>My question- If I sent the letter (ignoring deadline), is there any chance it would be considered? Or is this breaking some application rule?
Considering the deadline, is there any way at all it would even be opened?</p>
<p>Basically I'd like to know if I should send this letter. I mean, is there any chance it could HURT his application? I of course wouldn't want that. If I sent it and it was never read, that would be okay, at least I tried. I just don't want to mess anything up for him.</p>
<p>Thanks. Sorry if this is a difficult question to answer. Really passionate about this letter.</p>
<p>“applying to a very prestigious university” in Early Decision – he’ll get slaughtered, to be frank. His lack of demonstrable achievement will ensure that he’ll get lost in the pack of others who HAVE shown great academic prowess. Your letter probably will be read but you’re only a fellow student – not a teacher (who is more objective and has a larger context (100s of students over many years)in which to compare your friend)</p>
<p>He has a sibling at the university, if that makes any difference.
I figured he would get slaughtered, and it’s just such an injustice. With my grades and credentials, I could probably get into this university, and he deserves to be there more. Sigh. I shall probably send it.</p>
<p>Please send it. I think it’s an incredibly honorable and kind thing to do. </p>
<p>But the fact is that despite his qualities, they aren’t measurable at this point by the college. If what you said is true, he’ll shine at whatever college is fortunate enough to have him. No “injustice” there or in the top college’s likely rejection of him too.</p>
<p>That’s sweet of you. But I think it’s a bad idea unless you put in humongous letters that no one asked you to write the letter. Otherwise, it looks likes a desperate attempt for admittance on your buddy’s part, and the admissions officer will probably read it and think “nice try…but absolutely not.”</p>
<p>I avoided large font haha. But I did mention (twice) that I wrote it witout being asked, and without his knowledge/consent. Hopefully it will mean something to them.</p>
<p>It is very nice of you to write this letter under your own initiative. However, this university may be a bit confused about it. </p>
<p>If this kid is supposedly so smart, why is his class rank so low? Why the lack of demonstrable achievements? Does he have some sort of extreme disadvantage that prevents him from realizing his intelligence in the regular sphere of activities, while those (such as you and myself who are dumber) do? Or, is he just lazy? I know a lot of people like this, not saying that this is necessarily the case.</p>
<p>I don’t know really. College applications is a pretty rigid process. Common app has a counselor rec slot, and two teacher rec slots. Many schools have one or two additional slots. I don’t think colleges usually consider any other letters, unless they’re coming from someone really important.</p>
<p>Rank/GPA is just a game. He doesn’t try as hard as he should. He also fails at math, which hurt his SAT/ACT. GPA and standardized testing try their best to measure students, but as we all know, intelligence is impossible to measure. GPA/Standardized tests tend to correlate with intelligence, but there are always exceptions. I assure you his IQ places him in the top .5% of the US, but his scores wouldn’t.</p>
<p>My letter probably won’t help him in the long run. You all make logical points; its nearly impossible for admissions to look past plain old “above average” scores and achievements. I feel good for at least trying though. If there is any justice in this world and true merit in the application process, he shall succeed! If they would at least give him an interview, his admission chances would skyrocket.</p>
<p>“Rank/GPA is just a game. He doesn’t try as hard as he should. He also fails at math, which hurt his SAT/ACT. GPA and standardized testing try their best to measure students, but as we all know, intelligence is impossible to measure. GPA/Standardized tests tend to correlate with intelligence, but there are always exceptions. I assure you his IQ places him in the top .5% of the US, but his scores wouldn’t.”</p>
<p>Exactly why a selective and prestigious college should reject him. They want people who have demonstrated that they will push themselves and utilize the college’s resources and contribute to the community of scholars – not be an island, no matter how gifted.</p>
<p>Hopefully your friend will recognize how off-putting he is and come down to earth soon.</p>
<p>Life is a game, and you gotta play by the rules to win. Or you cheat, and then God (or the government) bans you for it. Don’t like the rules, don’t play the game. Seems like that’s what your friend did. </p>
<p>There are some people who are just bad at the game; your friend is not one of them. He has something called potential. However, potential is unquantifiable. In high school you need to SHOW some of that potential as to give colleges some sort of measurement of what that potential can bring. Colleges aren’t going to take a chance on some dude who has shown nothing of what his potential can accomplish.</p>
<p>That is why in my case, and I suppose in yours, we have worked through high school for good grades, EC’s, and test scores. Though our potential is less perhaps, we have shown what it can bring in a tangible way that colleges can look at and say, “hmm, this kid has potential.”</p>
<p>Top 0.5% of Americans? I’d say that’s the majority of the applicant pool for prestigious colleges by the way.</p>
<p>Are you telling me colleges would take the above-average intelligence student who worked diligently over the genius?</p>
<p>This might be the case. I’d just like to believe that a college could maybe see and invest in potential. </p>
<p>I realize he is facing a huge uphill battle here! It’s just. I know for a fact that he belongs there, intellectually. I feel inclined to make that a little more apparent. You all are right, chances are he will be toss out with the tens of thousands of other “above average” application they receive. Here’s to his .001% chance that they give him a shot. I feel guilty that I have a better chance at these colleges when he is more intelligent.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t mean to understate his achievements here. I mean outside of rank/GPA, he has some impressive accomplishments.</p>
<p>Anyways. I was just making sure this letter wouldn’t harm his application in any way. If it does not contribute, oh well.</p>
<p>IMHO, you should not presume you are being helpful to his cause.
What if your friend resents you insinuating yourself into his application process with your unsolicited letter?
If he gets in, will you take credit for getting him accepted?
He won’t know if he got in on his own accord.</p>
<p>He is a very good friend. If he gets in, he would be happy to give me credit, and would be bowing at my feet. He really cares about this university, more than you understand!</p>
<p>Besides, my letter only describes him. It’s not like I’m throwing my own skills into his application. He could ask the same question about any of his rec letters.</p>