so my family just recently found out that my great grandfather went to columbia university, i know im still not considered a legacy but is it worth putting that down if i do decide to apply? i plan to do more research on him.
If you mean putting it down as writing his name for the question of whether a relative has attended, then yes. But if you mean in an essay or something more, probably not.
You can write it down, but unless there is a building with your great grandfather’s name, I do not think it will make one iota of difference. You’re talking about a hundred years ago, at least. It’s cool that you know that about him, and they might think it’s a neat tidbit of info, but hoping that will give you a boost is really wishful thinking.
Columbia’s application asks:
So you can answer “yes.” although other than for classification purposes, it will probably mean little.
Probably not; I’m a couple of years older than the OP, but my great-grandfather, who is still alive and kicking, graduated in 1949.
skieurope, my dad was Class of '49 and he’s been dead for 23 years. I will have a drink tonight in honor of your great granddad and all the other members of the class.
My first thought was this is spot on, but then I realized that if looking up your great grandfather leads you down a path of learning a lot about Columbia, it could spin out into a pretty good “Why Columbia” essay.