<p>Just wondering. Do double legacies get better treatment then legacies?</p>
<p>Harvard actually hates double legacies.</p>
<p>Seriously though, it probably helps more.</p>
<p>What's the longest legacy at Harvard?</p>
<p>You might want to check out this thread, started by a 7th generation legacy - excellent grades, scores, ec's, etc. - who didn't get in. He'll be going to the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>And while you're on that thread, check out post #11, from a 4th generation double legacy, also deferred EA (no word on the board about his RD result or where he's going).</p>
<p>According to the admissions office, the stats for the legacy admitted group are as good as the stats for the overall admitted group. Legacy may function as a tiebreaker of sorts (an "additional look" in admissions office parlance). But there are plenty of terrific legacy candidates, just as there are plenty of terrific candidates generally, who get turned down.</p>
<p>If your family gives substantially to Harvard (7 figures and up) then your legacy status is a real benefit. Otherwise, it's a minor tie breaker.</p>
<p>cosar is absolutely correct. Legacies, URMs, HFAI-qualified is a "tip factor." This means that if there were two equally qualfied candidates in the admissions committee's eyes and one spot, the "tip factor" will seal the deal.</p>
<p>Before you guys get all excited...</p>
<p>HOWEVER, in order for the "tip factor" to come into play, you still need to be a pretty amazing candidate in the admissions committee's eyes. Usually, it is very clear who should be admitted and who should not. "Tip factors" rarely come into play - as cosar's citation of a 7th generation legacy getting deferred (and allegedly ultimately rejected). Just give it your best shot, and again, just be realistic as to which colleges for which you apply.</p>
<p>Yea, my parents don't donate nearly that much to the school, but my mother was a class marshall, served as vice-president of the combined Harvard clubs of a state, and was until recently, treasurer of the Harvard club of a major American city (not saying which one because it would give away my identity). Would that be beneficial?</p>
<p>That being said, I'm not going to try to coast into Harvard on legacy. If I am fortunate enough to attend Harvard, I want it to be because of what I have accomplished, and not because my parents went there. If legacy status does give me the last boast I need, I won't complain, but I'm trying to make my legacy status more of a bonus on my application, and not its central component.</p>
<p>Again, unless you are a major development case, i.e., your parents are going to be donating a building or funding a professorship, legacies will always be a "tip factor" and will follow the rules I stated in the above post.</p>
<p>"Tip factors" are NEVER a central component to an application. Again, it only comes into play AFTER the admissions committee feels that you are a VERY strong candidate and they have to choose between two for one spot - then the legacy would get that spot above the other candidate.</p>
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<p>What's the longest legacy at Harvard?</p>
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<p>I'm not sure what the longest current one is, but there's a sign in the Leverett House library commemorating the matriculation of ten generations of Saltonstalls at Harvard spanning the 1650's to the mid 20th century. The library was built in the 1960's. There were people named Saltonstall in a couple of graduating classes in the 90's; I don't know if they are direct descendants of the ones referred to in the library sign.</p>
<p>I imagine they'll spend more time on your application and you're more likely to get noticed.</p>
<p>I am also a double legacy, and at the info session, I asked the adcom about legacy admissions privately. she said that a legacy will have their essays read personally by the dean of admissions. plus the tip factor thing.</p>
<p>Wow! Another double legacy exists! I'm not alone.</p>