<p>While I've been reading through various threads on here, I've noticed that different people have been saying different things about how applying early affects legacy applicants.</p>
<p>I have seen some say that applying early as a legacy eliminates your legacy status, for whatever reason.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I've seen some people mention you only receive a boost as a legacy if you apply early.</p>
<p>So, what exactly is the truth?</p>
<p>At most schools, legacy matters at all times. However, I know that for UPenn specifically, legacy has a big boost during ED and almost no effect during RD.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks.</p>
<p>I also saw someone say that legacies receive a bigger advantage ED/EA because that shows the college they actually want to go there; that they aren’t just applying for their parents.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Duke isn’t particularly fond of ED legacies, since legacies are likely to attend anyway, but in general the boost early is larger (and I have no idea how true that rumor is).</p>
<p>Still, most schools will at least give legacies an extra once-over before finalizing their admissions decision, which at hyper-competitive schools could be the thing that gets you in; there’s one more chance for them to go, “Oh, that’s why we should admit him/her.”</p>
<p>Legacies absolutely receive a bigger boost applying early. This is true everywhere, you want the loyalty from them and they want to see yours. Some schools give no boost at all RD.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input.</p>
<p>I think the claim that colleges like seeing legacies who are actually interested, thus they like those who apply early, makes the most sense.</p>
<p>That said, both my parents went to ivies which had ED programs, I applied RD to both and got in both, so who knows if there really is much of a difference between ED and RD</p>
<p>And also got into Princeton? You must be pretty awesome in addition to legacy status.</p>