If mother, father and only sibling...

<p>all attend(ed) the same ivy, will other colleges figure my son will end up attending same ivy and therefore reject him? The Common App asks where we and sibling attended so I guess we need to include that info? My S had applied ED to said legacy school but here I sit worrying what will happen if he's rejected or deferred and needs to apply to all the other schools on his list. Will schools hold all that family history against him?</p>

<p>This is one of life's complex questions. It's unlikely any answer you get will be comforting because, hey, who's going to say "Yes we'll discriminate on that basis." even if it's true. Having the answer won't help much anyway. I'd recommend proceeding as if the world will handle your S's application in an even-handed manner. Good luck to him!</p>

<p>If he is actually rejected rather than accepted or deferred ED, it might be worth sending a short supplemental essay on something like "what I learned from being rejected to Xxxx" </p>

<p>If he is deferred, this is a tough one...
Of course, we all know Ivies are reaches for everyone and he will be applying to some match and safety schools he loves...
right?</p>

<p>Good luck for an ED acceptance!</p>

<p>One of the little uncheckable bits I bring up all the time is something a senior admissions officer at Harvard told a friend: Harvard's acceptance rate for Princeton and Yale legacies is almost as high as its acceptance rate for Harvard legacies. Among the Ivies, the only college that really seems to care is Penn, and it says explicitly that it only considers legacy status for those who apply ED. (So if Penn is the legacy school, every other Ivy looking at an RD application would know that either he had not applied ED or had not been accepted ED at Penn.) I don't think any of the Ivy League colleges worries much about its yield. They aren't going to reject a student they like because they think he might go elsewhere; they'll accept him and try to convince him to come.</p>

<p>He isn't applying to any other ivies. I'm worried that his matches won't take him. Do you think that's a concern?</p>

<p>I think it's critically important, for most matches, that he has "exhibited interest." Especially in a case like this. Visiting. Showing in his "why xxx" essay that he has really given some thought to how he fits that school, how it fits him and what he could offer the match school's community.</p>

<p>I think it would be an excellent idea, for peaceful sleep for all of the 1ofeach family members, for him to find a school he likes with rolling admissions or non-binding EA and apply. Is that possible in his situation?</p>

<p>A good private college told DH and I this would be an issue as we went to same ivy. Had kids not gotten into ED schools, we were prepared to have to address it RD.</p>

<p>
[quote]
He isn't applying to any other ivies. I'm worried that his matches won't take him. Do you think that's a concern?

[/quote]

I doubt it. They may think he's applying to the Ivy only because Mom & Dad make him, and he wants to get as far away from it as possible. Maybe they'll figure he wants to forge his own path. And maybe they'll figure that he might not get in anyway (which he may not, regardless of legacy status).</p>

<p>Be honest, fill out the information, have your son show interest in the non-Ivy schools, and BREATHE!</p>

<p>Thanks! I'm having the week before ED results breakdown. It's so hard because if he doesn't get in, he'll be the first son in 4 generations not to. And I HONESTLY! don't care if he goes to this school. I just don't want him to feel like he didn't measure up. He's a wonderful kid and we did do a fantastic job on his list. He visited and interviewed at terrific schools. I'm just in Mom melt down phase. He did apply to one school that will give an answer around Christmas. But the schools that would be likely contenders if ED doesn't pan out will just be regular decision. Truthfully, I would have been happy if he didn't want to go to this school and he could have avoided this pressure. But he wants it with all his heart and has worked so hard to be a great candidate. I hate this :(</p>

<p>It's been less than two years since S1 went through the admissions thing, but I've already forgotten--
Is there a place on the applications where you have to write where (specifically) parents and siblings attended? Or does it just ask parents' level of education?</p>

<p>Also, are other colleges even aware if someone has been deferred ED elsewhere? For all they know THEY might be his first choice, though as others have mentioned, I'd make sure he was able to show interest in his safeties. Good luck!</p>

<p>Yes, the common application asks what college mother, father and siblings attended. To make it worse, both H and I went to this same school for graduate school- so the common app is COVERED with this school. I just think it looks terrible for every other school.</p>

<p>1ofeach - This <em>is</em> a truly stressful time for applicant and applicant parents. So hard to wait. I really feel for you. But clearly your S has done a good job of compiling his list.</p>

<p>It will all work out. As someone above said, BREATHE. </p>

<p>Also, come here to stress and/or vent as much as you need. That's why we have a Parent Forum... no? And we'll be here to celebrate when the time comes too. I'm sure it will.</p>

<p>I agree with Jmmom your S should show interest, and non only let the college know about it, but also the college counselor. If his HS has a relationship with the college, the CS could go to bat for him.
To me these are the only things that could be done.<br>
For what it's worth, my kids' school has many ivies' legacies. They usually get into all the non ivy schools they applied to.</p>

<p>Okay, it's Sunday, and there's stress in the air. I have <em>just</em> the thing!</p>

<p>:: pulls out the champagne and orange juice ::</p>

<p>Let's make mimosas!!!</p>

<p>That Mimosa was great, thanks!</p>

<p>If there's any one thing I've learned from interviewing and watching admissions at Penn for 25 plus years, it's that a legacy with a sib at the school ,who is in range, gets in every time.</p>

<p>I understand your angst if child applying doesn't have the stats, but if he does, relax.</p>

<p>Thanks for talking me off the ledge. :)
He does have the stats: 2200 SATs, 3.9 UW GPA, 4.4 weighted, class rank: 4/300 great course selection, usual suspect of good ECs, leadership and awards.</p>

<p>I'll enjoy my mimosa, TRY to remain sane and I'll let you all know what happens.</p>

<p>Thank you! When I try to vent to anyone IRL, they just say "of course he'll get in" but we've all heard the stories of the sure bets who don't.</p>

<p>1of: I think there's probably a kind of reverse-Catch 22 in your favor. (1) Four generations is pretty compelling. I think there's a decent chance he will get into the ED school, especially if it's not Yale (which isn't ED, but maybe you disguised it). At Penn, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, and probably Columbia, the legacy thing ought to work. (2) If the legacy school is Yale or Columbia (or Stanford, Harvard, or Princeton, if you've disguised that, too), the "match" colleges will understand that he isn't a shoo-in there, so they would be unlikely to turn him down for that reason.</p>

<p>One friend of my son's was a two-generation Yale legacy who was deferred EA, with stats much like your son's. She wound up accepted at Yale and at every other college to which she applied (mostly selective LACs). Things will probably work out.</p>

<p>It is Dartmouth :) Thanks for the hopeful words. This week is going to just C R A W L
by.</p>

<p>Good luck from a fellow Dartmouth mom! DS says there are many great legacies including the guy who has become new BFF! Your DS sounds like an excellent fit.</p>

<p>Thanks so much. I'm off to bed- wish I could sleep till decision time :)</p>