Hellooooo I remember it vaguely, since I’m not necessarily the one who was to hear it from the Yale admission officer directly :( From what it seems like though it is MORE effective than a normal HS recommendation (since that is just checklist item), plus there is NO HARM in getting an alumni recommendation, it can only help you :) (plus why would it be bad to show that you’re trying ^^) It means a great deal because if this alumni is able and willing to write you a recommendation then that means the admissions people looking over it knows that someone who had previously gone to the school trusts the applicant can be successful at the school as well… Don’t know if that made sense, but good luck!!!