<p>My father attended Harvard- how much will that help my chances of getting in?</p>
<p>Your father having attended qualifies you as a legacy. My (limited) understanding is that a legacy application counts as an “extra look,” in that it might favor your application over someone equally qualified with no legacy status. If you don’t have a chance of getting in, legacy status won’t save you unless your father is about to donate a building or something.</p>
<p>^ Yes. Legacy applicants have better chances compared to similarly qualified candidates, but it’s not a major hook.</p>
<p>Thank you- to both of you. And no, I don’t expect my father to be donating a building to Harvard anytime soon, so I guess that won’t help me 
!!! But that’s comforting to know that I can have a slight help from my father. Thank you!</p>