Hi,
My dad graduated from Uchicago within 3 years. He interviews prospective applicants in my country.
I am a senior thinking of applying to Uchicago (regular decision).
How much would legacy help me?
UofC does treasure legacy, but non-qualified applicants will not be considered. It will help those on the boarder line.
I don’t think anyone really knows how much legacy matters at Chicago. First, it has been less than a decade since they started having to reject students who were clearly qualified to attend. Ten years ago, as far as I know they didn’t even consider legacy, because it would never have made a difference (if you were qualified, you were in, regardless of legacy, and if not, not). Second, the parents of today’s applicants pretty much represent the generation of Chicago students who felt most ambivalent about the university. It’s pretty common to hear from a high school student that her parent who went to Chicago told her to apply anywhere but there. They haven’t had a high rate of legacy applications, at least not until very recently. I have to assume they’re increasing, however, as it becomes more clear that Chicago has solved the problems that made the university an unpleasant place for undergraduates in the 70s and 80s, and as it has become more desirable generally.
It stands to reason that Chicago would value legacy applications highly. One of the university’s important overall objectives is increasing alumni financial support. Building multi-generation family relationships – and giving alumni with young children a sense that there could be some near-term payoff for their support – is a tried-and-true way to do that.
From the Dean of Admissions: "It is most accurate to say that we wish to treat alumni children with the same care and respect we treat all applicants, and, when it comes to doing the kind of reading we do—careful, painstaking, comprehensive—we do not ignore the fact that a student has a connection to the University that may be meaningful,” O’Neill said in an e-mail interview. “Of course, the meaning has to be conveyed in the kind of application a prospective student writes.”
For more information, http://chicagomaroon.com/2007/03/06/admissions-legacy-students-dont-have-edge/.
My hunch is you would win a tiebreaker over a non-legacy student and potentially could get a slight bump if you offer a reason as to why you being a legacy matters.
That interview is almost nine years, one admissions dean, 20,000 applications per year, and 20 yield percentage points old. Ted O’Neill presided over a very different admissions office than the one Chicago has now. This interview reflects the bygone way of thinking I discussed above.
Why not do EA?
UChicago sends a letter to all alumni parents much as Penn and other schools do, thanking the parents for encouraging them to apply. Indicating that the application will be given every consideration but promising nothing
Legacy will help you if you are already well-qualified. Applying EA with your legacy should give your best shot.