Well, sometimes reaches pay off. Usually for other people...but hey, since you are "other" you have a pretty good shot. This is terrible, but I have been so anxious I've made my sister and her boyfriend call departments and ask questions about when acceptances will go out. I'm afraid they will recognize my voice, although rationally I know if they were going to let me in, just calling too many times wouldn't make them rescind the offer. But I'm crazy enough that it seems that way.
Speaking of reaches, I applied to UPenn, but I have to say that grad coordinator there has been the nicest so far. I had a late LOR and she emailed me. She was just really sweet, wishing me luck and commiserating about the anxiety.