<p>My uncle was named Deputy General Counsel a while back and represents Columbia in a lot of its legal matters. I'm a sophomore in high school, and though I am still young and have not made a decision, I am well aware that Columbia will certainly be one of my top choices. I participate in the highest level classes that my school offers and maintain a 3.75 uw and 4.53 w GPAs. My main question is simply, will this connection, my uncle, be an aiding factor when I apply to Columbia?</p>
<p>it would aid a lot more if he were your father because columbia does offer good benefits to children of employees.</p>
<p>but overall, i guess the most important thing to know is that it can’t hurt you.</p>
<p>if you can hustle around with the connection it might work. Can’t say for sure that it will or not. But if you want to use the connection, meet some people at Columbia admissions through your uncle, convey them your story about what you want to do in college and drop hints that columbia fits in well. it really depends on how well u network with them but good luck</p>
<p>You can do it yourself! Keep up the hard work and practice for your PSAT for next October. Then your SATs…</p>
<p>No, it should not play a role. </p>
<p>First of all, having an uncle who is Columbia’s general counsel is a bit distant. As stated above, Columbia does recognize legacy, but only for parents and only if they went to undergrad there (there are too many who have graduate degrees, so that doesn’t count as legacy). There are also so many people who work at Columbia and if every one of them opened the door for just one applicant, that may fill the class. </p>
<p>See, my S’s cousin is a very high ranking administrator (VP) in a very important area at Columbia, but my sister, her mother, explained it’s “not the thing” to pull rank. I suggested he let it slip during his interview, but turned out, his interview went so well and he enjoyed his time that he didn’t bother. I’m happy he didn’t mention it. Like you, his grades/scores/ECs, can hopefully get him in. If not, it’s their loss.</p>
<p>Will it matter if my grandpa (William Barrett) was the philosophy professor for 20 years (now dead) and well known throughout the school? My mom still has friends of my grandpa’s who work there currently.</p>
<p>my great great great grandfather was alexander hamilton 
beat that!</p>
<p>I don’t think a drop-out is considered a legacy, pigs! ;)</p>
<p>Oh darn you Alexander Hamilton :(</p>
<p>Unless you write about it in your essay, I don’t see where you could let Columbia know. It might help you a little</p>
<p>Haha I don’t have any connections… except for my mom’s friend’s son who did undergrad there (and now works on Wall St, cool huh)! Lol!</p>
<p>hanana, thats not a connection</p>
<p>blame the revolutionary war, pigs!</p>
<p>You realize it would take anyone about 10 seconds to realize who your uncle is, and probably who you are?</p>
<p>darn american revolution!</p>
<p>@ylmc123 I was just joking!</p>