Any applicants friends with a professor?

Colleges & Universities Brown University
1

<p>Yes, yes, let your screams out now, but I am gonna try and use nepotism to get me into Brown.
Don’t worry, I have the grades, characteristics, and other factors that make me a desirable candidate (according to my guidance counsler)…but I have a few rough spots such as my test scores (1300 SATs and even worse SATIIs)…so I’m tryin to use my connections as best as possible</p>

<p>A good friend of my brother is an assistant professor and big researcher over at Brown (pathology and biochemisty). I’ve communicated with him a number of times over the subject of shedding his influence in the admission office, but the most he’s ever told me is that he will “see what his options are.” I don’t wanna push him, so I hate to ask for more info on that.</p>

<p>Do Brown staffmembers have any sort of influence over the the admissions process? Has anyone ever used their connections to their advantage? Help me out cause I’m really breakin a sweat over here.</p>

2

<p>Not to burst your bubble, but his influence will most likely be minimal–certainly not something to be relied upon or to be specifically disappointed with if it does not work out. In the rare case where a connection with a professor might help is if you either had more than a personal connection (i.e., have done some research with them and they can advocate about specific academic qualities/experiences you have), or if they are particularly important professors AND argue strongly (nobel laureates, etc.).</p>