Legacy recommendation

[Stockmoose16]

Lisa,

I have a question regarding legacy recommendations. I've submitted my application to HBS with three recommendations (2 professional, 1 academic); however, I also have two uncles who graduated from HBS, and I'm wondering if it's considered bad taste to have them send a short note to HBS giving their endorsement. Something to the effect of: "hello, I'm person X, I graduated from HBS in 1964, and am the uncle of a candidate for the class of 2011. This candidate would be great for HBS because, X, Y, Z. Thanks."

Would having these additional endorsements help my chances of admission?

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear Stockmoose,

It is always hard to know how much alumni recommendations help, but they definitely don't hurt. Some schools have a specific avenue for this (similar to what you noted) and others it is simply an email to the director of admissions. You might ask the admissions office if there is a specific channel or preferred method for alumni to submit a short note on your behalf--just to make sure you are getting it in the "right" way.

Regards,
Lisa