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Khai
Student
West Palm Beach, Florida
1
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Is it ok to mention an alumni's name in your college application process I know that some schools do not favor nepotism...?
Some admission advisors don't give credit to using an alumni's name. Also what if that advisor dislikes the person you are speaking about. Makes a situation very difficult...
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Clarence
Student
Jenks, Oklahoma
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Questions
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Clarence’s Answer
Mentioning an alumnus in your application is acceptable, but its impact depends entirely on substance over status. Admissions offices generally disfavor "name-dropping" for the sake of prestige, as modern elite institutions strive to distance themselves from perceptions of nepotism.
The most effective way to include an alumnus is by focusing on how they influenced your interest in the school. If a former student mentored you or shared specific insights about the campus culture that align with your goals, their name serves as a credible source for your "Why This College" essay. This shifts the focus from who you know to how well you fit the community.
Focus on meaningful connections rather than just a name.
The most effective way to include an alumnus is by focusing on how they influenced your interest in the school. If a former student mentored you or shared specific insights about the campus culture that align with your goals, their name serves as a credible source for your "Why This College" essay. This shifts the focus from who you know to how well you fit the community.
Focus on meaningful connections rather than just a name.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Khai - this is an excellent question. Let's start from a different perspective, meaning more specifically what you want to accomplish by including the name:
- Some schools ask if a family member has attended perhaps because it bodes positively for their acceptance rate. In that case, absolutely mention alumni you're related to.
- You may be interested in a school because someone you know and respect inspired your interest. I might mention that along with describing what they said that inspired you.
- If the alumna/ae don't know you well enough to vouch for you, I would not mention the name. If they do, it is better to have them write a letter on your behalf, don't just mention their name.
So don't drop a name unless the person knows you well enough and is willing to make a case for you. As for the risk, unless the alumna/ae is a large donor, the admissions officers may not even recognize the name. If they do recognize the name, this would be positive unless the donors make unreasonable demands. If the donors make unreasonable demands, do you want to be associated with them?
Finally, always ask the person before mentioning their name, even in an interview. This is the right thing to do. Plus, if the person is asked and doesn't recommend you or doesn't seem to know you, it erodes the credibility of everything else in your application. I hope this helps - good luck!
- Some schools ask if a family member has attended perhaps because it bodes positively for their acceptance rate. In that case, absolutely mention alumni you're related to.
- You may be interested in a school because someone you know and respect inspired your interest. I might mention that along with describing what they said that inspired you.
- If the alumna/ae don't know you well enough to vouch for you, I would not mention the name. If they do, it is better to have them write a letter on your behalf, don't just mention their name.
So don't drop a name unless the person knows you well enough and is willing to make a case for you. As for the risk, unless the alumna/ae is a large donor, the admissions officers may not even recognize the name. If they do recognize the name, this would be positive unless the donors make unreasonable demands. If the donors make unreasonable demands, do you want to be associated with them?
Finally, always ask the person before mentioning their name, even in an interview. This is the right thing to do. Plus, if the person is asked and doesn't recommend you or doesn't seem to know you, it erodes the credibility of everything else in your application. I hope this helps - good luck!