Ecliptica

One of my friends (someone in my English class/track team is a better term) is applying to Davidson. I am as well. His test grades are much higher than mine (1520 to 1320 SAT, 17th in class to 35th in class) and he's done volunteer work in South Africa where he spent the last two summers. He asked me to write his peer recommendation.
Unfortunately, I don't want to make him seem like a better candidate than myself, since this is my top choice school, but I still want to be fair to him. I really don't know him all that well besides what he's done in track, and I know for a fact that he isn't being recruited for the team (I am). I don't know whether to tell him to get a recommendation from someone else or write it and be a "good friend". I'm sure there's other people that know him better and could write a better rec. than I could, but I'm wonder the reprocussions I'll face by writing it. Will this make my application seem not as strong, as his grades and ECs are much better than mine, but my athletics and leadership positions are much strong, or will this make my application stronger by showing that I'm a "good friend" and am willing to help others in my class.
Yes, this is completely selfish, but I honestly don't want this kid taking my spot. No one from my school has ever gone (nor applied) to Davidson before, and I highly doubt they'd accept two from the same school. I'm (99.9%) in for track, but I've been hearing on the boards that the adcoms have the final say, so I've been nervous since then. He's a very strong academic candidate, and I'm in a dilemma.
What do I do?

tl;dr - Kid in my class applying to Davidson, asked me for rec. I'm applying also. Hurt or help my cause? He's better academically than I am, I've committed for track.

cangel

Does he know you are applying? Tell him that because you are applying you don't think writing him a recommendation would be fair to him, it is a conflict of interest. Another friend could write a better recommendation.

Ecliptica

I think he asked me to write one because I am applying and he knows that the track coaches have been calling me and he wants to get on that team (the coaches told him that they couldn't offer him any money, but he could walk-on). Yes, a friend could write a better recommendation, I have never spoken to him outside of English class and track.

mattmom

I agree with cangel. It actually sounds as though his reasons for asking you might have been a little bit devious, and really, a peer rec is supposed to be written by someone who knows the candidate well and can sincerely write something that highlights the positive aspects of a candidate's personality. I hope you have someone like that writing your peer rec. Incidentally, if you are both strong applicants, especially with different strengths, it is perfectly possible that Davidson might take you both; that fact that no one from your school has gone does not mean no one has been accepted, and there are almost certainly instances of multiple acceptances, especially from good prep schools (I think your earlier posts indicated you attended a school of that type).

cangel

I agree with Mattmom that it is very possible that both of you will be accepted - Davidson is trying to widen the geographic draw, particularly in the NE. His stats are very acceptable to Davidson, yours are lower, but you are recruited - I think you both have strong, but different reasons for being accepted. But, I still don't think you should write his peer rec if you feel there is any shadow of "competition" , it will color what you write.

Ecliptica

I told him that, due to a conflict of interest, I wouldn't be able to write it. He's having our valedictorian, "Perfect Score", who got into Stanford EA write it instead. Quite devious indeed, I don't know if he's even friends with that kid either. Thanks for your help, cangel.