<p>I *think *I have a better credentials than him without hooks. But he does have double legacy at Yale. Since he is still a very strong applicant, if he applies EA, he will probably get in. I think the schools all claim to have no quotas for individual regions, but from an article about Harvard admissions, these elite colleges all have regional admission officers. Would you say that I have a considerable disadvantage if I applied EA with my peer (and his double legacy)? Should I perhaps aim for EA Harvard instead (not that it will be any easier, but just without the double-legacy competition)?</p>
<p>If your classmate's parents donate considerable sums, yes. Otherwise, no, not at all.</p>
<p>They are definitely rich. But probably not multi-millionaire rich. So I'm guessing they've probably donated around five digits? Is that "considerable"?</p>
<p>I am under the impression that even without donations, double legacy is still a HUGE hook?</p>
<p>*note that I don't care if he gets accepted or not, just that I don't get rejected partially because he was a double-legacy AND from my school.</p>
<p>well it depends on how many people yale traditionally accepts per year from your school. your friend, barring any terrific misfortunes, will get in. Now, whether you do or not as well has a lot to do with your school's relationship with yale.</p>
<p>class of 2005 had 1, 2006 had 0. am I screwed now?</p>
<p>If you're highly qualified, they'll take both. If you are marginal, it will probably hurt.</p>
<p>and this is one of them. </p>
<p>Yale, like most other elite and highly selective colleges, will certainly sort admissions application not only by region but by specific high schools as well. Depending on the track record your high school has had with Yale and the school's profile (a summary of the school's data on such things as average GPA's, test scores, demographics, number of AP/Honors courses, colleges/universities that students have enrolled at over past 3 years, etc.), there can be leeway for multiple candidates accepted from one high school. I think it works in your favor that the other student is a double-legacy because his legacy status gives an additional factor that Yale's adcom will consider. So long as you present a competitive application to consider, you will be fine. Rather than worrying about your competition, put some effort into doing everything that you can in the way of test scores (do you need to retake?), building a compelling picture of your EC's and their impact on you and others, and framing drafts of essays. The rest will take care of itself.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I am probably only qualified. How many HIGHLY qualified applicants are there nowadays for Yale, anyway?</p>
<p>I can't control the double-legacy as well as our school's 1 HYP per year situation. So to something I can control, would you say I should simply switch to EA Harvard, since there are no double-legacy applicants?</p>
<p>it really depends how many more people from your school are applying to yale EA. accepting 2 people EA is not a humongous jump from accepting 1 person. sure, the double legacy will get in, but i doubt he or she will "count."</p>
<p>I agree with jimbob1225... the double-legacy applicant is looked at with a different filter than a non-legacy. Do you know what kind of history exists with your high school and Yale? When the school year begins, ask your Guidance Counselor for that information. Without knowing more about your academic achievements, it's difficult to evaluate your chances. At any rate, Yale routinely accepts multiple applicants from the same high school for any given year. </p>
<p>BTW, applying EA at Harvard presents no more advantages to you than applying EA to Yale. Seriously, don't worry about others... focus on the job YOU need to do to present a compelling package to Yale, if that is your first choice. Have a plan for other MATCH and SAFETY schools as well.</p>
<p>I totally agree with everyone above. If a school thinks you're qualified enough, then how many others from your school that are applying should normally not have any bearing on your chances. Plus, he's a legacy on top of it so he will be considered differently. So I say good luck with all, and try to enjoy your senior year :)</p>
<p>We faced this exact problem for class of '09. Deep legacy was an average student with average SATs. She was also wealthy. D was #1, top scores, top ECs, etc (accepted to 6 Ivies and top LACs in the end). Did not know that legacy was applying to Yale until later. Legacy was accepted EA, D was deferred. D was accepted to Yale RD and is now a happy 2nd year at Harvard. It makes a big difference if your school normally sends multiple people to Yale each year or if they never do. It's very clear that the far better qualified student was deferred EA in favor of a deep legacy with deep pockets. I would spend my EA elsewhere if I had other schools I liked as well.</p>
<p>bandit_TX,</p>
<p>Interesting story... I guess it just goes to show you that selectivity is not to be underestimated at the most elite schools. It makes me think that the history with the high school and college is an important consideration in the process, especially if it's an ED or SCEA program (which is true of Yale).</p>
<p>I'm happy to hear that all's well that ends well with your D.</p>
<p>I don't know how Yale works, but in Harvard admissions, I've seen excellent legacies deferred EA and accepted later while excellent nonlegacies were accepted EA. It may be that the colleges figure that legacies are likely to accept their offer, so the colleges don't need to accept them EA in order to boost their yield.</p>
<p>Or in this case, they were afraid a deferral would irritate the parents and cut off the money tree.</p>