I applied to Villanova RD with kinda below average scores. I got a 1200 SAT and have an 85 weighted GPA (i know, i know… 
) However, I guess my hook is the fact that I am a proficient guitar player and have given private lessons for about 4 years now teaching between 20-25 students within that time. I also have a recommendation letter from a family friend who is a Villanova alumni (graduated in 2004). Does anyone know how heavily Villanova will weigh this letter as well as my other letters of recommendation that I sent in being that letters are not required anyway??
<p>bumpy bump bump</p>
<p>i was thinking of something similar for UVA. metal i am nto answering ur question, but i was just commenting since i had a similar issue. anyone know if i get a alum to write a letter, is the college going to call him and ask in personal how much u recommend. since my alum guy doesnt really know me</p>
<p>"thats the risk you need to take when soaring with the birds" --ghandi</p>
<p>how is it a risk?</p>
<p>Alums who write recommendations to MIT applicants get a letter saying something like "Thank you for your kind words for (so and so)" and it goes on to saying how it's a valuable perspective from someone with "firsthand experience" of the institution.</p>
<p>But I honestly don't think it makes any difference, unless the alum is a big name and can show that he knows you well. A friend of mine who got into MIT says the same.</p>
<p>letters of rec from alums are a complete waste of time. However they can be sought after by applicants because they believe something along the lines of "can't hurt, why not?". </p>
<p>Do you really think that the adcoms, after looking at your scores, essays, letters of recs from teachers and counselors, etc and making a decision are going to say "oh wait a sec -- an alum has written a letter of support saying X is a great fit for our school. Forget the earlier decision we made -- we're taking this one!". </p>
<p>And lets not forget to think critically about how honest these letters really are. What family friend, asked to write a letter, is going to refuse? And just as critchesell has indirectly pointed out, quite often these letters are written as a "favor" to a parent by someone who doesn't even know the applicant!! Don't think adcoms don't know this happens.</p>
<p>Basically letters from friends are a waste of time, and if anything tip off the adcoms to look more carefully over your app to figure out why you thought you needed a letter from a friend to get in.</p>
<p>I know what ur saying, but if I am a borderline applicant, which I am, than a letter from someone who recently graduated the school can assure them that I am a good fit for the student body and can handle the course work and all that bull. Besides, the fact that I handed in letters in the first place is a plus for me because they aren't even required, they're considered, but not required. My essay was phenominal and I am also personally writing them a letter explaining to the why Villanova is my first choice and what I think I can bring to the community.</p>
<p>What kind of boost would I get if I got a fab reference from my soph Algebra II teacher who is an alumni from one of the schools I am applying to.</p>
<p>How about this one: My neighbor's uncle built a building at Yale. Would a joint letter of recommendation from him and my neighbor help out? (My neighbor's known me for 17 years, I'm friends with his kids).</p>
<p>you're really reaching... why a joint letter? Just so you have one in your file "from a Yale alum"? Not worth it to you or the alum. It won't help you at all.</p>
<p>anybody else??</p>
<p>I letter from an average alum is meaningless. If a guy who funded a building at Yale is willing to write you a letter, let him do it alone. That could well be worth something.</p>
<p>One kid I know, his alumni recommendation probably helped him a lot and I mean a lot...
He is not even in the top 45% of my class (gets C's in classes except for Physics) and got into Lehigh (engineering)... I was very surprised being that kids in the top 15% of year's past classes have not gotten in...</p>
<p>A letter from an alumni? Does/do the fellow(s) suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder, perhaps, and if so, will his/their kind words be well regarded? ;)</p>
<p>Well... why wouldn't a recommendation from an alum count when legacy at some places counts for so much (cough<em>Penn</em>cough)? Legacy means nothing whatsoever, but it still helps. Shouldn't the same be true for a rec?</p>
<p>It certainly won't hurt. If anything, together with what you've already submitted, the letter will demonstrate how much you really want to go there. You have nothing to lose, so go for it. Good Luck!</p>