Legacies!

Applying to College
1

I’ve read somewhere on CC (don’t remember where; we all talk too much) that HYP and the like don’t regard applicants whose parents went to their grad school as legacies. Is this true?

As much as I’d like to think my situation is different, I don’t think it is. My parents both went to Stanford Law. They’re very involved in the alumni organizations, and my dad’s on the Board of Visitors. Stanford seems wonderful, and while it’s not my first choice (I’m more of a Northeastern kind of girl) I could definitely see myself there.

Another question–how much does being a legacy help at schools (particularly Stanford)? I’m a good student, 3.93 uw/4.4 w, very involved in ECs, all around good kid, but I don’t think I have completely what it takes to get into HYP/whatever. Basically, I think I’d need an extra push to get me into a college like that. Would being a legacy be enough? I’m not asking whether I’d get into college by being a legacy, but in general terms–does being a legacy make a solid applicant an admit?

2

<p>nope, I looked this up because my dad was also at Stanford for graduate school, but graduate school does count as legacy. But that's Stanford; however, this translates into a lower legacy admit rate at Stanford than at HYP (20-25% rather than 30-40%). And depends on how solid of an applicant you are, though your dad's involvement will help. Money would also help, but time/involvement does as well. That's my 2 cents.</p>

3

<p>Your dad being on the board of visitors will help more than just average legacy status.</p>

4

<p>Large monetary donations by your parents increases your chances.</p>

5

<p>Both your parents went to S. Law and your dad is an active alumni member and on the board of visitors?</p>

<p>at the risk of stating the obvious ... let's just put it this way, can't hurt, can only help.</p>