@notjoe, you are completely correct about being clueless about the weight given to my extra recommendation letter. If I were so inclined, I could probably find out (see article about “the Fountain Hopper” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/us/students-gain-access-to-files-on-admission-to-stanford.html?_r=0). I don’t think I’d really want to find out how truly instrumental the letter really was. It might make me feel even more cynical than I already am (at such a young age)! I also agree with both you and @t26e4 that the potential letter described by the OP wouldn’t likely get the job done. I guess I’m speaking more in general terms.