<p>I am applying to Columbia Early Decision, as is another girl in my grade. Her mother went to Columbia, but none of my family has. I am objectively (grade wise, SAT wise) a better candidate, but she is also qualified to attend the school and she has the advantage of legacy? How much will this hurt me? Help her? Do nothing?</p>
<p>my advice to you is not to worry about it.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that a qualified legacy candidate is in a great position. But two is not a lot from one school, so if you’re also a strong applicant your chance won’t be compromised.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that first generation legacy is not necessarily that important. Is there any merit to this argument?</p>
<p>No…legacy is very important, first or fifth gen.</p>
<p>Its not VERY important. But it should not matter anyway because they do not limit acceptees per school</p>
<p>assuming i am a candidate who, according to school stats would almost definitely get into columbia ED (and have better stats than her), would she potentially block me out? normally the top schools only accept 1 kid (max 2) from our school each year…what do you think?</p>
<p>The number of students a college takes from a given school is not based on any from of quota</p>
<p>If a college annually takes 1 or 2 students from your school then it simple means they find 1 or 2 students that they want to admit that also happen to belong to the same school.</p>
<p>There is no such thing a “blocking” or “stealing spots”. It’s a silly myth.</p>
<p>Of course if you mean in the grand scheme of things you are competing against her and the thousands of other applicants. So of the 1400 or so spots that Columbia has in their Freshman class, if she takes one, then that’s one less open for you. But if you can get over that there’s really nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>Depending on the discrepancy between your qualifications and hers, her legacy status may very well make her more appealing of a candidate than you, but you’re not competing against her for admission exclusively. You’ve got national competition and if you can stay competitive against the thousands of other applicants, then you should be fine.</p>
<p>thank you very much for an informative response; that is very reassuring.</p>