I’ve heard that a lot of times being a legacy, especially in the Ivies, increases the likelihood that you’re accepted to a school. I have no idea if this is true at all, but my dad graduated from Penn (class of '87) and he believes that with my grades, community service, and test scores combined with the fact that I’m a legacy makes me a “shoo-in” (he certainly has a lot more confidence in me than I do). So I was just wondering if anybody knows if being a legacy really does boost an application during the decisions process specifically regarding the University of Pennsylvania.
Hey @flowerpower8, Penn only takes legacy into consideration if you apply Early Decision. Legacy does help in that case.
Pretty much no one is a “shoo-in”, maybe if you’re double legacy ED with stellar stats but even then, that’s a stretch.
During the ED round, many alumna were very angry because they kids did not get in even though with very good stats.
Legacy does help during ED round. However, only to a degree. With Ivy admission, nobody is a shoo-in .
For example:
Like I said, my dad’s view on the chances of my admission are greatly inflated. Obviously no one is a shoo-in and I believe Penn is a reach for me. Thank you for letting me know it is only considered when you apply Early Decision (I applied Regular Decision so it doesn’t affect me).
@flowerpower8 A lot of parents say that because they are comparing their child’s stats to what it took to be admitted when they were applying. The bar has moved significantly higher at almost every top 100 school since then.
You are wise to assume that it is a reach and treat it as such. You just won’t know until you open the decision. I hope you get good news! 
I know the school says that legacy significantly helps in ED, but I am really starting to doubt this. I have seen too many high quality legacy candidates that have gotten accepted at more academic schools that have gotten rejected at Penn. I spoke to a friend who’s son got rejected last year. I will not say where he is at, but will say it is very surprising. His family is close to admissions and what he learned was that the trend in admissions is to move away from legacies and focus more on things like 1st time college admits. Penn does not say this publicly, as they like getting all of the extra applications and donations from hopeful alumni. I have heard admissions saying that legacy almost doubles your chances for ED, yet when I look for recent legacy stats they are nowhere to be found. You can however find stats for 1st time college families. I would think that if you were to clone yourself and your clone had the exact same stats but was not a legacy that you would get an advantage, but not much more than that.
From what I have seen I would weigh your advantages in the following order: 1- Recruit (athletes) with recommendation from coach, 2 - Related to someone famous/important, 3 - Parents currently donating a million $ or more 4 - Parents teach at school or work at the hospital 5 - First time college family 6 - Fill a needed ethnicity, 7 - Applying from a unique area (i.e. Australia, Guam, USVI), 8 - Females applying to Engineering, Males applying to nursing 9 - Legacy
Ok let’s see…1) nope, 2) nope, 3) nope, 4) nope, 5) nope, 6) nope, 7) nope, 8) nope, aaaand 9) nope.
@flowerpower8 Penn makes it so clear (on campus and on their website) that you need to apply ED to have your legacy taken into account, that I almost think it is harder to get admitted as a legacy during the RD round than it is for non-legacies. You should definitely let your dad know about this policy. Hopefully you are a really strong applicant in other ways and will be accepted!
@flowerpower8 what are your stats?
Can someone link me to where on Penn’s website it says they only consider legacy for ED? I can’t seem to find it.
this is the only source you should consider on this matter.
http://thepenngazette.com/five-is-four-cs-%E2%80%A8and-the-right-road-to-college/
Essentially, yes, being a legacy helps. It will have the most significant impact if you apply ED. The acceptance rate for legacies is in the mid-high 40s (as in 44-49%ish). And nobody has a good shot at getting in regardless of who they are or what they’ve done.
That being said, you should apply. Penn’s the best.
@DonCornelious Do you/anyone else know about the weight of a parent on faculty in the admissions process?
I’m a Penn student and I believe Penn understates how much they consider legacies. It especially helps for ED.
i’m a Penn interviewer on the East Coast, and many, many strong legacies get rejected. Even during the ED round.
According to Pen newspaper, Legacy is less important now. From an important factor to just a factor.