<p>My son likes Columbia and I was wondering whether my graduate degree from the school would give him a leg up.</p>
<p>minimal, but yes.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity how do you know it only helps minimally?</p>
<p>columbia website says so - and from what i’ve learned being around admissions office.</p>
<p>Does Columbia give preference in the admission process to applicants whose parents attended Columbia?
We are always pleased to receive applications from students whose family members have graduated from Columbia. When an applicant is extremely competitive and compares favorably with other similarly talented candidates, being the daughter or son of a Columbia University graduate (from any Columbia school or college) may be a slight advantage in the admission process. This advantage may especially apply for “legacy” candidates.</p>
<p>Please note: applicants are considered to be “legacies” of Columbia only if they are the children of Columbia College or the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science graduates.</p>
<p>Thanks for that info</p>
<p>Maybe in not trusting every word Columbia advertises to the public we are helping OP out the most. That was probably said to get more applications. With such a tangential connection to Columbia, the son could be easily edged out by an applicant with a marginally better package.</p>
<p>eh, epa, but it is true. columbia does put legacy/alumni connection into its equation. but the student has to be basically on the fence. so hence minimal is the best way to explain it.</p>
<p>Are you sure? I’ve heard Columbia gives a lot of preference to its legacies in the ED process, and only minimal preference in RD.</p>
<p>When I was on a tour over the summer they claimed the rationale was that legacies are less likely to drop out and more likely to enjoy their experience. Truthfully, legacies are more likely to be donors, and in the ED process, where you can’t shop financial aid, you generally find wealthier applicants. So ED + Legacy equals a growing endowment.</p>
<p>^ That’s all correct. Except a degree from Columbia grad school does not make one a legacy (according to the Office of Admissions). You must graduate from CC or SEAS. Now, that means grad students from SEAS are legacies. the b*asterds.</p>