<p>Being a legacy at a top institution, would not applying ED affect my chances. I understand that most such institutions encourage legacies that are actually interested to apply early. </p>
<p>This into account, would a legacy not applying early signal a relative lack of interest?</p>
<p>Yup, and yup. Being legacy and not applying ED sends the message that said college is not your first choice. If you were an adcom, how would you react?</p>
<p>Is it possible, then, to not report any alumni relation?</p>
<p>Even legacies need to compare financial aid packages. Some students are legacies at multiple institutions, and even if they are “in love” with all of them, and are in a position to apply anywhere ED, they still can only apply ED to one.</p>
<p>It is fine to apply RD if that works best for you. If the institution(s) in question take legacy status into consideration, do be sure to let them know about it.</p>
<p>Except from a practical standpoint, legacy only receives a “boost” in the early round, particularly at ‘meets-full-need’ schools.</p>
<p>Find out what you can about how your colleges deal with legacies. Some do show a clear preference in admission, some provide special handling for the application, and some have extra scholarship money for family members of current students and graduates.</p>
<p>Unless merit scholarship is in special contention for legacies (and I hope it’s not) the FA will not be an issue; I wouldn’t qualify.</p>
<p>Like other peer schools, legacies are accepted somewhere in the 40-50% range, so there clearly is a preference. I should probably do some more research as to how the school specifically deals with legacies.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If this is UPenn, they only consider legacies in ED</p>
<p>Negative, it’s Duke.</p>