<p>Okay so I have a 28 on my act which is fine but not wonderful but I am president of my school. I’m also Vice President of a community service club at my school and I take plenty of AP classes. I’m also on class board, in a Christian club, volunteer at the nursing home, volunteer at the hospital, and I’ve raised 2,000 for childhood cancer research. So I’m a great student and I’m very involved but I still have doubts of getting into ucla and UC Berkeley. My dad happens to be very close to a man who is on the board of regents for the UC schools. My dad said he will ask him to write a letter to ucla and uc Berkeley to help me get in… Will that even help? Does that work? Is it wrong? My dad’s friend has donated millions to the UC schools and has taught at uc irvine. If ucla gets a letter from him about me how will that affect my chances?</p>
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But your dad hasn’t. </p>
<p>Adcoms ABSOLUTELY HATE getting pushy letters from board members & politicians. So not to offend these high profile people, the adcoms are reluctant to reject the applicant out right. But that doesn’t mean they won’t WL you.</p>
<p>I think that would be very embarassing all around if your father asked for that. Why doesn’t he just ask the person for advice if they are so close and the guy can say if there is anything to do to help.</p>
<p>Generally you don’t send letters from people you just know. Aside from teachers and counsellors, appropriate letters are from someone who worked closely with you, and can evaluate you.</p>
<p>Your stats aren’t horrible, you may get in by your own merit. Like the others had mentioned, this may not be a good idea since your dad friend doesn’t know you well and the UC’s are a public institution. It’s not the same as private schools where money and nepotism can get one in. It is a public institution and Ad coms have to think about ethics as well. Tread softly on this plan…</p>
<p>An ACT of 28 is not competitive for UCLA and Berkeley.</p>
<p>Both schools do not accept letter of recommendations, they would toss in the trash.</p>
<p>^^right, that went right over my head. That is a good point. In any case if a person in such a position is going to help someone ‘get in’, it is a rather big deal, and in that case they contact the development office, not write a letter of recommendation. </p>
<p>Just apply widely within the UC and CSU system so you have some choices come admissions time.</p>
<p>perhaps you will get in with you accepted on your own merit. you should raise your ACT score though. but having your dad try to get you into these colleges is pitiful and plain pathetic. </p>