<p>I think you worry too much! </p>
<p>When somebody like you’re describing offers to do something nice like that, you say “Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.” There’s really no other possible response.</p>
<p>Then you trust the people in the admissions office simply to appreciate a little input from a valued alum, not to second guess motives. They are not jerks.</p>
<p>A little edit, as I see you were looking for some kind of “official” response:
As alumni interviewers, Tufts asks that we do not interview students who we know but does say that we are welcomed to write separate letters in support of those students’ applications. Your family friend would fall into the same category.</p>