Legacy Admissions: How Important Are Legacy College Admissions?
Ever dreamed of following in your parents’ footsteps and attending their alma mater? For some students, that dream might just get a boost thanks to legacy admissions. This practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants with family ties to the school has been around for decades, but its importance and fairness are constantly debated.
So, how much weight does a legacy connection truly hold in the competitive college admissions process? Does it give you a leg up, or is it an aging system in academia? In this blog, we’ll discuss legacy admissions in detail, exploring its impact, its controversies, and ultimately, how important it really is in securing your dream college acceptance letter.
What Are Legacy Admissions?
Legacy admissions refer to the practice of colleges giving preferential treatment to applicants who are related to alumni. This typically means the child of a grad, but some schools consider applications from those with other relatives who attended, like grandparents or siblings.
Legacy admissions are a longstanding tradition, especially at private and highly selective institutions in the US. But it’s a controversial practice. Proponents argue that it fosters school spirit and encourages alumni donations. Critics say it gives an unfair advantage to wealthy families who can afford to send multiple generations to the same school and create a legacy pipeline.
How Important is Legacy Status in College Admissions?
Legacy status can offer valuable insight into your background and indeed strengthen your college application process; however, it isn’t enough for automatic admission. A weak academic profile (falling outside the admitted student’s middle 50% range) likely won’t be saved by legacy status alone. It serves as additional context, not a replacement for strong grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and a compelling application. Admissions officers won’t overlook these aspects.
If you excel academically and your top choice is your legacy school, consider applying early. Early rounds often have higher acceptance rates, and applying early shows your genuine interest. Some institutions, like Cornell, only consider legacy status for early applicants. Not applying early in these cases can negate the legacy advantage. Furthermore, identifying as a legacy further strengthens your commitment to attending if admitted.
Data on legacy admissions is often limited and inconsistent. However, some colleges do offer specific numbers. For instance, reported that Georgetown University admitted only 9% of legacy applicants for their 2024 class. Similarly, legacy students comprised 10% of , representing 150 students out of 1,498 total admissions.
Read also: The 10 Dos and Don’ts of College Application Essays