Friends on applications for universities?

Question

I am a senior and been looking through the common application. In the common application, there is a space where you could write down your friend who attends the university. I have a friend who is currently at a university I plan to apply. Will it help me in the admission process if I write the friend's name? Do I have a better chance of getting in? I know if you have a family member that attended or attends the university that you have a better chance of getting in. Is it the same way with friends?

Sorry, it was not on the common application. Actually, it was on a Pre-application for Washington University in St. Louis. Sorry for posting a wrong question.

Answer 1

I've never heard of this helping. I would guess that if your friend was someone very prominent, it could perhaps help, or if your friend was a disaster, it could hurt. Certainly no school I've ever heard of has a "legacy" policy for friends of current students.

Answer 2

I've already filled out the common application and looked thoroughly through it. There is NO space to list a friend who goes to that university. Even if there was that university doesn't care. Think of all the extra work it would intail for them to track down every friend every applicant listed and speak to them about the applicant personally. Perhaps you do not fully understand the instructions on part of the application but rest assured there is absolutely no place for you to list your friends who go there, that would be insane. If this spot was there on any application it would be more likely to hurt your chances than help them. It would serve purely elimination purposes, and they would undoubtedly use it to dig up dirt on you if they suspected any. They don't have time to refer to the friends of great applicants then they would just hear about how great the applicants are something that adcom already knows.

Answer 3

Yes, you will have a better chance getting in. "It's not what you know, but who you know."