Cornell Legacy Policy

<p>If someone's parent attended Cornell but didn't graduate, is it still legacy? Furthermore does Cornell consider legacy?</p>

<ol>
<li>no - your parent needs to have received a diploma from Cornell.</li>
<li>yes - legacy counts if A) your parent/relative has donated a lot of money or B) you are applying ED.</li>
</ol>

<p>I just checked Cornell’s supplement, this is what they asked about alumni relation:

</p>

<p>Didn’t say anything about graduated from Cornell. It is more meaningful if it’s your parent(s) who attended Cornell, and it is even better if they have been involved with the school, not necessary giving a lot of money. As mentioned by cc102, for legacy to matter, it is better to apply ED.</p>

<p>But, legacies still have to meet the schools expectations in their hs academic performance, activities and have a solid app package.</p>

<p>^^^That goes without saying.</p>

<p>Legacies help in that they give you an extra hook, whether you’re applying ED or RD.</p>

<p>You must be a direct descendant (parent/grandparent/great-grandparent) for legacy status. </p>

<p>I believe that not getting a degree doesn’t hurt your legacy status. If they were at Cornell for at least a year, they’re listed in the alumni directory.</p>

<p>Does it matter if they attended the graduate school and I’m looking to get a bachelor’s?</p>

<p>You’re a legacy regardless if your parent received their bachelor’s or their graduate degree from Cornell (including the med school).</p>

<p>Yes, but just note that different colleges have different policies on this issue. I believe at Harvard you are not a legacy unless an ancestor went to Harvard College–grad school doesn’t count.</p>

<p>@redshoes: Yes, but not at Cornell. At Penn, for example, you lose your legacy status if you apply regular decision.</p>

<p>Will it help my sister’s application since I currently attend Cornell? I will be a junior when she applies. I know it’s not considered “legacy” but I am wondering if it still has any weight.</p>

<p>also, do they check my academic record at cornell when considering my sister?</p>

<p>@bigredhockey: no on both</p>