<p>How much additional sway would a recommendation from a former president of UPenn contribute to an application? </p>
<p>I know it’s an odd question…But I’ve always kind of wondered…</p>
<p>does the president know you well or taught you? Because according to some people, the status of the writer doesn’t matter as much as how well the writer knows your achievements and improvements academically. Someone correct me if i’m wrong.</p>
<p>I think if any adcom ever saw a recommendation from Rodin, first they would be think it was a joke, then they’d contact Rodin, next the entire admissions office would have a collective holy **** moment, and then the student would almost be guaranteed admission.</p>
<p>no way! I’m certain the status of the person doesn’t match the quality of the actual letter.</p>
<p>And how about with Hackney?</p>
<p>UnusualSatire, while typically that is the case, if you can get a rec from someone extraordinary, I’m pretty sure you’ll be getting in. Do you really believe that someone with a college recommendation from Bill Clinton wouldn’t be admitted? </p>
<p>Captain, hackney is a bit different than Rodin. A) He wasn’t the previous president so some admissions officers might not know who he is. B) He is also a professor at Penn making it easier for the admissions officer not to know he was president. So I guess it comes down to one thing: did you take a class with him or do you actually know him on a personal level? The former would most likely have less impact than the latter.</p>
<p>I believe it makes sense that the person with the excellent rec from his favorite teacher would be preferred over the other person with some letter from Bill Clinton who barely knows the kid.</p>