<p>I was wondering if a letter from a close family friend, he happens to be on the board of trustees at Dartmouth, would be of any signifigant help to my application. </p>
<p>My Stats are as follows:</p>
<p>White Male, New Jersey
Competitive NJ Boarding School</p>
<p>Recs: Rock Solid from faculty who know me well
Essay: Solid, but I’m partial to it</p>
<p>EC’s: 4 years of Varsity Crew, 2 Years of Varsity Soccer (I also won our schools Soccer Award and was named to 2nd team all-state for my senior season), , Founder of my school’s Philosophy Club, Dorm Prefect, Human Relations Comittee</p>
<p>Misc: Won an Outward Bound Leadership Scholarship, National Merit Commended List</p>
<p>I’m just curious as to whether or not having a strong endorsement from a trustee could possibly push me over the top or if it’s a rather unnecesary gesture.</p>
<p>It depends as to the content that the trustee is writing the letter. If the trustee is writing yes I have known dolyem for X numbers of years and cannot truly add anything of substance than it really is not going to do you any good.</p>
<p>If you have worked for this person, if this person has taught you, if the trustee also your parent then it takes on a different meaning.</p>
<p>But if you are the kid from the neighborhood, trustee is a friend/acquaintance of your parent, then it will not tip you over.</p>
<p>It can go from helping you very little, if at all, to actually tipping you over the scale based on what the trustee writes. There is no reason not to at least try and see what he says for you.</p>
<p>I know a kid at williams who had no business being there (1300 SAT, 3.4gps, rejected at places like Bates and Macalester) but a trustee connection got him in.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for you though, Dartmouth is one of the top schools least likely to care. Dartmouth is pretty tough on academic standards, the daughter of my local alumni chapter head with solid stats was rejected.</p>
<p>Are you kidding? How can a letter from a trustee not tip you over.</p>
<p>If this guy writes something along the lines of “I went to Dartmouth…I am successful…I have known this person for a long time…and I feel he/she is Dartmouth material…” That should hold a lot of weight with the administration office.</p>
<p>of course, the person has to know you…if he only knows your parents, try to set up some kind of meeting with this guy and talk to him about why you want to go to Dartmouth. If you’re genuine and he likes you, then a rec from him will be all the more useful.</p>
<p>Take advantage of all the network opportunities available to you.</p>