<p>Would it hurt me if I sent a recommendation from someone who has recognizable status in the U.S.?</p>
<p>It depends on whether that someone knows you well in a capacity other than just a family friend (eg. mentor, teacher, etc.) and can write a detailed, specific LOR about you OR if ad coms sniff out the fact that you’re just trying to impress them with a big name.</p>
<p>It will hurt you if the person knows you only socially or really only knows your parents. The person needs to be significantly involved with you academically or extracurricularly for the supplemental rec to be worthwhile. If a world famous musician is also your music teacher, that makes sense. If you work in the lab of a renowned scientist and s/he closely supervises you, that also makes sense.</p>
<p>If the person knows you only socially, the rec will be a turn-off to the admissions committee and likely hurt you.</p>
<p>The person knows me from my accomplishments, but doesn’t know me on a personal level… Thanks for the replies!</p>
<p>“The person knows me from my accomplishments, but doesn’t know me on a personal level” Then that person will not be able to write anything substantial. His words will be worthless to your case.</p>