<p>My grandfather recived a letter discussing the importance of legacy in my application (he attended Duke). The letter basically said that the legacy is definately a considered portion of the application, but is factored in with all other aspects. Has anyone else received a letter like this or know how much I will benefit?</p>
<p>Just curious! Thanks for any input.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>My mom got hers with a likely letter and some handwritten stuff because the person was her friend from duke.</p>
<p>my son was deferred from duke this year, class of 2016, even though his sister goes there. his stats and scores were much higher, his EC’s better, and he got a generic deferral letter online only. sad that they dont give sibling-legacy that much weight. they did tell college adviosr that they are a ‘different duke’ this year…trying to be more international and higher percentage of ‘people of color’.</p>
<p>Yeah, my dad got the same letter; I think it helps a little bit but in the end, I think Duke really looks for the top GPA, the top scores and a definitive, very specifically written Why Duke essay. </p>
<p>Those 3 key factors along with a ‘uniqueness factor’ do the trick here, I believe. Been wrong a lot before though!</p>
<p>The ks.</p>
<p>So the likely letter and legacy letter are two different things then?</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using CC</p>
<p>The children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, siblings and step siblings of alumni/current students are classified as “legacies,” which that is beneficial during the undergraduate admissions process, although normally not critically or decisively so.</p>
<p>Far more important, NOT ALL LEGACY APPLICANTS RECEIVE EQUAL BENEFIT FROM A DUKE HERITAGE. To illustrate, the child of an alumnus who graduated three-decades ago, but who has not participated in the University’s life – volunteer work, leadership, fund raising, local and campus alumni activities, academic and intellectual development, faculty assistance, reunion leadership, student mentoring, and so forth – will have a most marginal advantage over a candidate with no Duke family background. Conversely, the child of an alumnus who has devoted countless hours, distinguished professional/managerial talent, and appreciable charitable donations, etc. to Duke is likely to receive a FAR greater “legacy admissions” advantage.</p>
<p>Siblings we know of our son’s Duke classmates got in at about a 50% rate, which was sad for those declined, and I only reference equally qualified siblings. Did I see that Duke had 31 thousand applicants or something outrageous like that this year?</p>
<p>Yes, over 31,500 undergraduate (freshman) applicants.</p>
<p>My parents, active alumnae and interviewers, only hear discouraging things about the legacy “advantage.” It seems to be vanishing a little more every year: many of their friends whose qualified kids applied have been rejected in the past few years.</p>
<p>It does seem, however, that the legacy advantage retains its power in the ED round.</p>