<p>A parent of a child in my daughter’s HS class is an admissions rep at an Ivy League school that has just deferred a family friend. My daughter is currently a freshman in college, and we knew this admissions representative through our participation in parent activities during HS.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts on sending a personal letter or making a phone call on behalf of this candidate?</p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think that a letter from someone with no personal knowledge of the candidate would have much meaning (unless the letter writer is extremely well connected). A local ivy admissions interviewer uses the phrase “the thicker the file, the thicker the candidate”. Deferral means just that - they’ll get a second look. If they can add something substantive to their file, I would provide that. I also think you might be putting your acquaintance in a difficult position - unless they personally know the student, how can they say anything about the student? </p>
<p>My opinions, of course, and not necessarily those of the management.</p>