Because those kind of letters reek of privilege and entitlement – and from everything I’ve read, Harvard Admissions considers those letters written by alumni, congressman, senators and even presidents of countries on behalf of applicants as gratuitous. I’m happy it worked out for you, but I don’t think letters from alumni matter at all. For example: every student at Harvard who has a sibling COULD write a letter on their behalf. Would it help their sibling if they did? Would it matter all that much in the end? I think not, as siblings need to be admitted on their merits, not just because they are related to someone who happens to attend the college. Ditto for alumni who write letters on behalf of their children. (FWIW: 70% of legacy’s are rejected. I don’t know if it’s the same percentage for siblings.) IMHO, it’s the same with these kind of letters from alumni who don’t know that applicant in the context of their scholastic ability. I’m sure those letters get an eye roll in Admissions, with the AO’s saying “Oh, look who this kid knows.”