Hi all-
I just have a quick question regarding whether I should/if I even could disclose some things on my common app. The first is this: I did an international volunteering trip for 20 days in the Dominican Republic, but actually came home with a parasite that sent me to the hospital for a week. Is that something I could put on my app, and what would I even say?
Also, I happen to be cousins with a Supreme Court Justice of the United State (RBG). She is my grandma’s first cousin, and therefor my first cousin twice removed. I know her well, but is it possible that this could help me on my app? And if so, where would I disclose it?
If you know RBG well, then get her to provide a letter of recommendation for you and have it ready to submit with your applications. It is usually okay to include one extra optional LoR with your applications. (By the way, she is a great judge so you are very lucky to know her!) Good luck.
@londondad she is like 85 and I don’t want to put her through that trouble, also, she is family and I think it would be weird for her to write me a letter. But can I list on my app that she is my cousin in like the “other” section?
Unless you are close enough to RBG to ask for and get a very personalized, and substantive LOR, then don’t mention it. In fact I think it would be a negative to just throw it out in an application – it would seem like you are trying to get in off the coattails of some distant relative. The accomplishments of a first cousin twice removed however impressive are not important to your application, only your accomplishments are.
And I would talk about the trip, not the parasite unless it was life altering in some way.
@happy1 is spot-on. I had a college housemate who knew a US senator pretty well and had interned for him. That senator provided a very strong recommendation for him to go to law school and he got in (although he probably would have gotten in without the Senator’s reference. )
In summary, if you are comfortable, ask for the reference. If not, don’t mention it in your app. It would be worth bouncing this question off your HS guidance counselor or a relative.
By the way, RBG is only 82 and still working, so while she is a very busy woman, she is more than capable of writing LoRs!
If you want to use the connection of RBG to help you, having her make some phone calls to the admissions office would have a much better effect than a letter of recommendation.
If she writes a LOR, then it is treated just like any other. If it doesn’t add any new insight to you, then it is almost useless or even might hurt your app.
That’s really cool though. If you ever want to study law, that’s a great family member to turn to.
Name-dropping (even someone as cool as RBG) is not classy. Nor will it help your application. You are applying, not her. If you had worked for her, then yes, as an employer, fine. But just because you know her and are related? I’d be embarrassed to even ask.
As for the DR trip, you can mention it. But it only demonstrates that you are one of those upper middle class kids whose parents can afford to spend money on int’l junkets. If you had gotten something important out it or it was somehow related to your educational interests or goals, then it might have been worth bringing up - as is, I wouldn’t bother. (Of course, if you pre-med, here’s your chance to explain where your interest in tropical diseases came from…)
I agree with N’s Mom – the serendipity of your familial tie with RBG will mean WHAT to a college you’re applying to besides clearly shout that you want special “old-boy” accommodation because you lack innate deservedness?
How many 2nd cousins does she have? Should School X suddenly jump up and down that one of 60 random people on this planet who is related to RBG should be applying? Think of how it appears to that college. You’ll severely hurt your chances and come off looking severely immature, IMHO.
Think about it this way: 10 years from now, you are looking to hire an intern. You get one who submits an LOR from a relation who is a Nobel prize winner – distant relation, who has no conceivable idea of the applicant’s academic ability besides is likable and hopes for good things for the applicant.
How would you view such a blatant and desperate move by an applicant submitting something completely unsuited for the job he’s applying for?
Do not mention the parasite. In addition to being irrelevant, it will conjure up unpleasant images while reading your app. If Ruth has a connection to a school you are applying to, then consider having her write you a letter. If she doesn’t then I think it is too random and looks like you are name dropping or grasping at straws
I agree with posters above. If RBG can’t write a recommendation, don’t mention your mostly distant familial relationship to her, as it doesn’t actually speak to your college readiness.
The parasite situation sounds icky, but you obviously had great healthcare that one can only assume took care of it. It would be like mentioning that you had an accident while traveling and had to fly home early. Not impressive.
Additionally, the ‘Other Information’ box should ONLY be used for things that require more background as to how it affected your academic performance. [get ready for a rant… this is not directed specifically at the OP]
Inherently, things written in that box tend not to be positive.
As an application reader, I tremble when there’s something in that box, as I know I’m potentially going to read about something sad or unpleasant.
The rule of thumb here is that if you haven’t explained your normal academic and EC activities within context of the application and essay, perhaps you should rethink how you’ve approached your application.
When I read about the time the the AP Calc teacher went away on maternity leave and the substitute was incompetent and that’s the reason the student grade went down, I palm-slap my forehead in frustration, with another student who doesn’t get it…
Another legitimate reason to put anything in that box would be if your school has some unusual scheduling (like block programing, etc.) or if the HS has limited AP’s or to describe an unusual academic circumstance. These are things probably best written about by your HS counselor, but can be appropriate for the ‘Other Information’ box.
