Harvard – and all selective colleges really – want letters from teachers who have taught you in a classroom situation, who can attest to your academic potential, to whether you constantly raise your hand and offer intelligent and well thoughtful opinions, whether your writing exceeds the strictures of the assignment, if you lead classroom discussions, whether you are one of the best and brightest students they have had in their career. Additional letters of recommendation from Harvard Alumni cannot comment on these areas. What is the Alumni writer supposed to say: “I’ve know jekusch and their family for many years and can attest that they’d be a wonderful asset to your college.” That kind of letter is not helpful to Admissions and just demonstrates that you know someone.