<p>Just a simple question -- does colgate take legacy into account? </p>
<p>My mother went to Colgate undergrad and was valedictorian -- i was wondering if this would strengthen my chances at colgate.</p>
<p>You may have a simple question but I am afraid that the answer you are looking for won’t be very simple. After all, your mother is not applying to Colgate with the other Class of '16 applicants who will number roughly 7,900 for 680 or so places, based on recent history.</p>
<p>Colgate is looking for top students who will make up an interesting and talented class. Successful applicants will hace to demonstrate their qualifications as well as a clear and ready interest in attending. Hence my point above.</p>
<p>One can see from the colgate.edu site how legacies fare in their admissions statistics. But that won’t be especially useful until you overlay your profile and then take it from there.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I doubt they will consider your mother’s status in her class, however, as 46% of legacy kids are accepted vs. 29% total, I don’t think its a huge leap to say yes–legacy status helps.</p>
<p>Thank you, and markham, I understand your concern but Im definitely in the ballpark objectively. ( 2330 sat, 4.0 uw gpa,) I’m just trying to see if legacy would give me a boost and put colgate in the “low match” category for me.</p>
<p>And i have visited and am definitely interested, so I don’t think that will be an issue 
I’ll make sure to write a great “why colgate” essay</p>
<p>Axel3419,</p>
<p>Thanks for the information which should make yours a strong application. </p>
<p>Assuming you do gain acceptance and matriculate, you will have a lot in common with many legacies: familiarity with the beauty and spirit of Colgate from your mother’s campus visits (reunions, special interest meetings/conferences, homecomings etc), events closer to home such as alumni club and sporting contests, the colgate.edu site and quarterly Colgate Scene- on top of what your guidance counselor has to say. I wish I were in your shoes as I would love to be back full time in that charming small town/ ambitious college setting!</p>
<p>By the way, in what year did your mother graduate? I am from the late 70s. Both your mother and I share in all of the pride that has accompanied the terrific advances of the university during the interim. hope you will be part of it too.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>She graduated 1983 I believe. Thanks :)</p>
<p>The short answer is…YES!</p>
<p>Remember that Colgate counts on alumni support just like any other college.
I attended Colgate, and our 2 daughters were accepted by Colgate. On each letter of acceptance, the director of admissions hand wrote a welcome to my daughter and hoped that she would continue the family tradition!</p>
<p>I assume that the acceptance note’s addendum was meant to encourage each of your daughters to attend. That shows that legacies count when they are competitive applicants. I understand that these personal notes are always appreciated. The Dean of Admission is a truly first class individual.</p>
<p>It’s sad though when anyone, including a legacy, is not admitted- irrespective of parents’ giving records or other “expectations”. And then when parents are upset after conflating giving with the relative position of the application, well, it is a lose/lose for the parent and Colgate, not to mention the embarrassed applicant. Fortunately, the applicant can shake this episode off and make his/her way elsewhere.</p>
<p>So it’s important for everyone to maintain clarity and perspective on what makes the application process and decision-making so involved.</p>
<p>Good luck to all applicants!</p>
<p>Agree that my daughters were competitive…oldest did attend Colgate and then went to U of Cincinnatti Med …youngest daughter went to Dartmouth, then to U of Pitt Med school. Also agree that director of admissions is a class guy!
I do think that even a legacy has to have grades or something they can give to the school, whether it be athletics, writing, drama. I certainly beleive a legacy with a 3.0 who is good at drama beats out a 4.0 with NO extras.
And then there are some like my son who wants to make his own path.</p>
<p>Are you applying early decision? Legacy or not, that’s the way to really increase your chances and shows how much you want to attend.</p>