<p>I was wondering how adcoms view letters of recommendation from VIP. If the VIP is a well known politician on the national level, does the letter serve as a significant boost for the applicant. This is assuming that the letter is well written and displays a personal relationship with the applicant. Any inside into such a letter's weight?</p>
<p>what about a letter from a very well accomplished alum....a rhodes scholar who writes for very prestigious publications, just received an alum award last year....?</p>
<p>They work if they are personal and do what a normal rec letter should do--show your work ethic, personality, etc. They are worthless if they are like "Bobby is a great kid. Yours Truly, George Bush". If they get close to the level of personal-ness that a teacher rec would get, they are very good, because they are automatically more credible than a random teacher's.</p>
<p>If the letter substantiated an EC or other talent of the applicant it would be a boost. If the letter comes from Senator Frist send it anyway.
My son sent in a letter from a world famous children's book author that he had worked with on his book covers.</p>
<p>Please know the person! ... A letter with just a good name will not work in your favour as much as you think.</p>