Letter of Rec. Predicament

T26E4
Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:09:30 +0000

I would politely decline for two reasons. 1) the only viable “big connections” that merit favors are development cases – whereby a multi million dollar stream of donations might merit an admit for a child or grandchild. I highly doubt this “connection” would cash in his/her chit by advocating for you, a stranger.

Can you imagine this telephone conversation? big influential guy says: Hi Jeff Brenzel (yale admissions dean), I’m sure you’ve heard of me. Well I need a favor from you old boy. You see, my friend’s husband is a teacher. And he’s got this great kid who wants to be an Eli. I want you to give him the “treatment”. Is he related to me? No. Just the student of the husband of a friend. What are his stats? I dunno. I’ve never met him. But I’m sure he’d be a great Yalie. Get back with me when you’ve admitted him OK? I’ll make sure you get a case of Scotch from me.

You see how ridiculous that would seem?

2) Since the pursuit of this favor won’t likely amount to anything positive, it may have the opposite effect as you’ve surmised.