unclefish wrote:
Curious about the following:
On my app to a top but not very top ranked school (think Michigan - but it's not Michigan), I listed my wealthy uncle as an alumnus of the school. I was placed on the waitlist without an interview-- not sure if his name helped me; my application is complicated for a variety of reasons. I recently learned that he is a far more active alum than I realized and donates about 25K/year to the school. He's offered to help me by making a call/writing a letter on my behalf -- his own kids aren't interested in this route. No one's going to be renaming a school for a 25K/year donation, but the amount doesn't seem insubstantial to me.
My uncle is retired, and thus can't promise employment to me or future graduates of the school. I don't think he has particular dealings with the school other than the financial donations.
Any thoughts on the importance of this kind of connection -- are we talking the kind of money that makes a substantial difference? I assume the bounce would be greater if I were his son and not his nephew? Is there a good way to facilitate his helping my candidacy -- it seems he doesn't pull strings at this school very often and isn't sure what to do.
(My apologies to all those who lack these connections. And I recognize the fundamental unfairness of using these connections. That said, there are many things about the B-School admissions process that are unfair, a number of which have worked against me.)
Well, your uncle probably already helped in some very indirect manner. He could potentially IF he knows someone PERSONALLY write a very quick "letter of support" saying "This dude is my nephew and he's clever and would be a fantastic addition". Obviously he should make no mention of the money, and be very correct and diplomatic and so forth. I don't see how that could hurt if you do it in the right way.