<p>I am a legacy at Brown. I've always thought I was going to Brown, but the closer I get to applying (I will be a Junior this year) I realize that Yale is the school I would like to attend. I'm worried about giving up the legacy preference to Brown and taking the risk at Yale. I'm currently ranked second in my class and have solid EC's (Treasurer of Student Government, Founder of Model U.N., two languages, extensive volunteer work (primarily working with elementary aged children in different parts of the world) Is there any way to figure out whether it is worth the risk? If I give up my Brown legacy preference, the roll of the dice may mean I would not have the option of attending any top schools. I have not taken the ACT/SAT yet.</p>
<p>Are you planning to apply ED to B? While perhaps not quite as strong, you still are a legacy if you apply to B in the RD round.</p>
<p>I’m worried that if I don’t apply ED to Brown - my legacy won’t count as much. I really want to go to Yale but I"m afraid that if I don’t use the only hook I have, I might not get in to either school. I wish there was a way for Yale to preview my application and tell me if I had a shot.</p>
<p>If you don’t know, don’t apply ED. Apply SCEA to Yale and RD to Brown and make your decision in April.</p>
<p>If I don’t apply ED to Brown, then I lose my legacy advantage. I’m too afraid of giving up the legacy advantage and then not getting into Yale or Brown. Are there ever likely letters issued in the fall to non-athletes/non-URMs?</p>
<p>Really, you lose your legacy advantage? Wow. Didn’t know it worked that way. My friend has a legacy at Georgetown and she’s applying RD, and as far as I’m concerned, she’s got it (the legacy) either way.</p>
<p>From what I understand, a legacy is given preference during the early decision period only. To me this makes sense because the only reason a legacy is given preference is because the legacy is indicating their commitment to the school in exchange for the school’s commitment to their family. Once the legacy enters the regular decision round, the legacy status is neutralized. I’ve seen this happen with too many people to believe anything else.</p>
<p>I’m a legacy applying to Brown RD. I’m pretty sure that I’m still a legacy in RD round. I asked Brown this when I visited.</p>
<p>You are a legacy, however, much higher weight is placed on legacy status in the early decision round. I’m not sure if any preference is given to a legacy applicant when the applicant makes the choice to apply RD rather than ED.</p>
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<p>This is true, but legacy status still provides a slight boost in the RD round. Even if this boost is just an extra once-over by the adcoms, it’s a boost–one that could make a difference between acceptance and rejection.</p>
<p>OP, if your heart is set on Yale, there’s nothing wrong with holding out for Y (assuming–and this is a big assumption–that your stats all-around are very strong). But if you’re a borderline Ivy candidate, you need to hedge every bet you have (ED, legacy). </p>
<p>Consider too whether you’re of the “Ivy or bust” mentality or whether going to Yale specifically is more important.</p>
<p>I have a question which relates to legacy but as to why they ask if you have any uncles aunts etc. that went to Yale (grandparents). In Cornell Grandparent counts you as legacy but not in others. But they ask about uncles in Yale and Columbia and Harvard and Cornell and we have an uncle webt Harvard and Yale Law and another Uncle went Columbia Grad.
Since they ask is this just there in case of a tipping factor? I mean if not why ask? Its not legacy but does it increase odds? I was just guessing why would then ask if not to say, well if the uncle did well the genes are close so maybe he she will do well if they are on the fence. Any other reasons you can think of. Respectfully.
W</p>
<p>I also have an ancestor who received a degree from Yale about 100 years ago - is there any way that would help me? It seems very far-fetched - but I figured I’d ask!</p>
<p>Legacy only applies to parents and grandparents. They do not care about Aunts/Uncles or even siblings. The general consensus is the “hook” of legacy at Yale is pretty minimal compared to some other super-competitive schools.</p>
<p>I know the definition of Legacy I already stated that–you guys did not read the question very well. I simply asked yo WHY they ask if you had any relatives that attend on the applications for Yale, Columbia, Harvard etc. in the space right after they ask about legacy–they ask for their name and relationship. It only asks for immediate close relationships-not great grandparents wise ass.</p>
<p>And FYI, Cornell counts you as a legacy IF YOUR GRANDPARENT attended one of their colleges. In my case I have my dad, gran-dad, great grandad–no I did not attend but they say its legacy on their application from what I have read. I don’t really care anyway just thought someone from admissions might have an answer–not the choir boys.</p>
<p>Thanks for the answer YaleGradandDad. </p>
<p>Waitlistman - you don’t deserve an answer with a posting like that. Try being polite.</p>
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<p>Heads up. I’m not aware of any admissions officers posting on this board. Just us choir boys. If you want an answer from Yale Admissions (and that’s often the best place to get an answer to a question) you have to contact Yale Admissions.</p>