I think you’re overthinking this. A recommendation should speak to who the student is as a person and member of a classroom community, in my opinion. I don’t think AOs are out to “ding” anyone for using the “wrong” recommender. At highly rejective schools, only a few minutes are spent reading any single application. Your student should put his best attempt out there and then let go of overthinking about the process. Having some likely schools on his list that he would be happy to attend makes all of this water under the bridge once those apps have been submitted. Good luck to your student.
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