Help, a question for recommendation

ringringbell

sorry can't type in chinese.

I am applying for wharton this year and happened to have a former colleague in Wharton. Do you think it is good or bad to ask him to recommend me to admission office?

Some say it is good because it is an additional recomm.
Some say it is bad because admission comittee will think you have insider in wharton.

What's your opinion? thanks.

咿咿

I do think it depends on the knowledge of him/her to you. This is the most important thing.