<p>I'm applying this fall as a legacy (through grandparent) and ED. I'm just wondering if this puts me at a significant advantage over other students. </p>
<p>I have really good standardized testing scores, pretty good EC's, and an okay GPA (3.81 UW) and I'm applying for College of Human Ecology. The thing is, I know there are loads of applicants that have better scores and a better GPA then me, but I'm wondering if having the legacy + ED puts me at the same level as them.</p>
<p>What I recall hearing is that being a legacy is a tip factor that is given some consideration for otherwise fully qualified applicants who are applying ED.
The legacy kids I know who attended were very well qualified.</p>
<p>I would assume you would need to be a fully competitive applicant and show that the program of studies matches ideally with your interests and abilities. It’s possible that the legacy thing may help you a little beyond that, but probably nobody outside of admissions can say exactly how much. IMO.</p>
<p>Assuming grandparent “counts” for legacy status.</p>
<p>I thought only your parents can count for legacies.</p>
<p>At some schools, legacy preferences have an effect on admissions comparable to other factors such as being a recruited athlete or affirmative action. One study of three selective private research universities in the United States showed the following effects (admissions disadvantage and advantage in terms of SAT points on the old 1600-point scale):
Blacks: +230
Hispanics: +185
Asians: –50
Recruited athletes: +200
Legacies (children of alumni): +160</p>
<p>source wiki</p>
<p>I believe grandparents count for legacies for Cornell. It’s different for each school, check Cornell’s application. There is legacy, and there is legacy. I don’t mean just donations. Alums who are very involved, their kids will get better considerations - special private tours and interviews and they will be flagged as such.</p>
<p>An alum’s kid applied ED Hotel recently. Her stats were not up to par, but with a lot of relevant ECs. She was deferred at ED, informed if she were to show improvement on her first semester senior grades then she could get in RD, which she did. </p>
<p>Many schools won’t give special consideration if a legacy doesn’t apply during ED.</p>
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<p>Good way to put it.</p>
<p>Okay I looked into it, and you all are right - Cornell views legacy more favorably for students who had parents who went to Cornell. Moreover, my grandpa only went for law school at Cornell, not undergraduate. Darn it!</p>
<p>does it matter if the legacy isnt in undergrad?</p>
<p>its not treated as legacy if its not cornell undergrad. regardless, its not a “lethal” combo anyway.</p>
<p>I thought legacies were only considered ED</p>
<p>Legacy “status” helps for both ED and RD, it’s just that it means more for ED–because familial ties coupled with clear interest in the school (as shown by ED) are more significant in the applications process.</p>