<p>This seems pretty obvious to me as not mattering, but three of my 1st cousins attended Cornell, all three with the same last name as me. I realize by legacy it is meant one's parents, but would the fact that my cousins went to Cornell help at all with admissions?</p>
<p>If I recall correctly, the application just asks about parents and grandparents. Unless you weave the fact that your cousins went there into your essays (which would probably be awkward), the admissions committee wouldn't even know.</p>
<p>If you go to Cornell, you can help your kids go to Cornell :)</p>
<p>Although cousins don't qualify you as a legacy, I think it is important to mention this in your essay as to why you want to go to Cornell. You can explain that you are familiar with the school through cousins who attend (or have attended). Schools want kids who want to go to their school and if you have relatives who have attended then you can make a credible case that you really know what Cornell is about and why you want to go there.</p>