Are College Legacies/Alumni Relation Really That Important in the Admission Process?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey All, I've been curious about this for awhile and wanted to see what is the true importance of alumni relation/legacy to a college you are applying to. I am just curious as to why many colleges make this a big factor in the admission process ( many colleges ask if you have a legacy at that certain college).</p>

<p>For example, I plan on applying to Boston University in the fall. I intend on majoring in communications/journalism. However, my cousin who attended there is a completely different person in the fact that he attended the school on an art scholarship, then switched majors and became a surgeon.</p>

<p>Do they list this option because they assume that if a family member of mine that attended the university is a hard working student, then they will assume I am as well?</p>

<p>Either way this was very confusing and I never really understood the importance of this, and whether or not they could help me.</p>

2

<p>As far as I know, alumni relation/legacies are the kind of thing that only help you, not hurt you. If you do have some kind of relation with an alumni, it’s a boost (a bigger boost at some schools than others) but if you don’t, they’re not going to look down on you about it.</p>

3

<p>Hmm, ok… Its interesting since I do have some alumni connections at certain schools… I’m just curious to find out how it exactley benefits certain applicants who have these relations.</p>

4

<p>Schools want to accept the children of alumni so those alumni will keep donating money.</p>

<p>All about the $</p>

5

<p>Hmm, good point.</p>

6

<p>It’s not really that much of a boost unless your family has donated a lot of money. That’s how they reward the families who have donated money or buildings.</p>