<p>I am applying to a top, very competitive, LAC. One of the teachers I am asking for my recommendation told me that her family is heavily affiliated with the school. She said that most of her siblings, cousins, etc. went there. And she said that her great grandfather or something is really affiliated at the school and has donated money to the school. She said that i would have an advantage at admissions if she mentioned her maiden name and her family.</p>
<p>I find this kind of hard to believe considering that this is a very hard LAC to get into and how could her family affiliation with the school help me out? </p>
<p>My thought is, since she’s writing you the Letter of Recommendation, is SHE should mention all of her affiliations in her letter, and say that based on her knowledge of the school AND her knowledge of you, she thinks it could be a great fit. Then spend the rest of the letter talking about YOU.</p>
<p>That way, she’s putting forward what she knows.</p>
<p>Other thoughts: you could mention her as one of your many reasons for applying. Do they have a special essay, “Why X College?” Put many reasons, but right there you could also put the teacher’s maiden name in parenthesis
My teacher, MRs. (Maidename) Marriedname, with multiple alumni relationships to the college, spoke glowingly about its (attribute…) and I found that (adjective: thrilling, encouraging, inspiring…). Again, focus on what YOU know, your thought, your response. You are the applicant, obviously. </p>
<p>She’s probably just excited because she loves her school and it would tickle her to see one of her good students attend there. That’s a compliment to you.</p>
<p>In the end, though, your merits will determine the outcome, so focus on them.</p>
<p>Is this your first choice college? True or not, I would just thank her and tell her how much you want to go to this school and that it’s exciting to know that it would be advantageous to you if she wrote the recommendation(just as she told you) I’m sure she wouldn’t have told you this if she thought you had no chance at all. As paying3tuitions said, it’s a compliment to you.
Good luck! The application process could be very stressful. Stay focused and try not to get senioritis!</p>