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I need a person who knows colege admissions better than the average high school senior to answer the question: How much does a legacy at an Ivy League school (Father-Undergrade, Mother-Grad, Brother-Undergrade) really help? If you can give a percent increase of chance of getting in. I have heard all types of responses, this needs to be cleared.

By yo on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 09:22 pm: Edit

Just keeping my message at the top

By Teddykgbad (Teddykgbad) on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 10:09 pm: Edit

< mild flame removed -Admin > There is no 'standard' percent increase by which your chances may improve. It varies case to case and depends on things beyond the simple brand of 'legacy'. For example: Do you think that a kid whose parents or grandparents donated 12 million dollars for a new facility is going to experience the same 'percent' increase as a kid whose brother simply attends there? Okay, so the example goes to the extreme regarding monetary contributions. But there are also similar cases with the size of an applicant's legacy. If three entire generations of one's family attended the same university, he/she fares a better chance than that same kid who only has a brother going there. Certibus Paribus, that is ... assuming everything else between those applicants is identical, which won't be the case.

My point is this: Ninety-nine percent of the time, having legacy helps one out in the process of admission. It shows the university that the applicant will possibly be more inclined to enroll with them. But don't be misled to think that you can be admitted on the sole grounds of your legacy. It is a minor factor for most ivies but its many nuances can render it with greater weight. < snipped -Admin >

By Dadster on Monday, October 21, 2002 - 10:33 pm: Edit

Teddy's right - at Ivies, being a legacy can be an edge for an applicant when compared to similar candidates, but it isn't a free admission ticket by a long shot.

By jon on Tuesday, October 22, 2002 - 07:29 am: Edit

It depends on the particular college, but a legacy like that will help more than they want you to believe.

By bolton on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 08:14 pm: Edit

does a sibling legacy have the same weight as a parent undergrad legacy. what if you have both- a parent and sibling who attended. is that going to be a factor if you are otherwise in the ballpark of the admission stats

By jamescook on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 11:18 pm: Edit

bolton...of course yes cause you got TWO legacies. if your in the ballpark your in. at least thats what i heard from my school

By Ivy on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 05:15 am: Edit

I agree with Dadster.

What makes you say so, jon?

By Men of JE on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 08:18 am: Edit

While I agree with Dadster, JE is a different story... because it's the best college at Yale.

By junior on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Schools vary on what they consider to be a legacy. At Yale, parents and grandparents qualify, not cousins. I don't know about siblings. You can call the admissions office of the school you are applying to and ask them. Statistics for legacies are pretty good at some schools -- I've seen 40% of legacy applicants admitted for Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth.