Would My Uncle teaching at UPenn help get me in with low stats?

Applying to College
1

<p>My Uncle got his doctorate there in '42 and taught there for like 40 years in chemistry. In case you have common sense, its my dads uncle, my grandfathers brother</p>

<p>He was very involved in the American chemical society, and was chairman for 2 years, and the National chemistry award was named after him</p>

<p>We have the same last name</p>

<p>Is this a hook?</p>

2

<p>No it is not a hook. If you were his son then that would be something different. You will not even be considered a legacy</p>

3

<p>darn, because my uncle's brother taught there and he's writing me a recommendation.</p>

4

<p>this uncles brother wouldnt happen to be...your father...would he?</p>

5

<p>not neccesarily</p>

<p>your mom's sister, your aunt, gets married</p>

<p>her husband is your uncle</p>

<p>his brother is.....your uncle's brother</p>

6

<p>thanks for the update, big ben.</p>

7

<p>i disagree.</p>

<p>a lot of apps ask whether any relatives are/have been employed by them.</p>

<p>i think it definitely is a hook - especially with a letter of recommendation.
though if your stats are TOO low, it's not going to bring your app back from the dead.</p>

8

<p>lol hes been dead since like '97</p>

9

<p>ah. well.</p>

<p>i still think it will help if they have that question about employment at the university on their app.</p>

10

<p>Your uncle might be well known to the university, and that could work in your favor, but just a little bit. Adcoms might pay a little more attention to your application, but your uncle alone is not enough to make up for any "less than acceptable" stats on your part. You still have to prove yourself worth of consideration, like 110% !!!</p>