<p>How much does legacy matter in the admission process. My d is interested in Notre Dame but it will be a reach school for her. Her great grandfather is one of the famous football players for Knute in the 'early days' and was inducted into the college football hall of fame. He was also the president of allumni for ND for many years. Her great Aunt also atttended and graduated. Is she out of luck and should we encourage her not to apply? 3.54 GPA (due to freshman grades). Public HighSchool in Wisconsin. Great kid, a real sweetheart, and grew-up loving ND due to all the cool stories. But.....well you know the competition.</p>
<p>Officially, "legacy" applies only to students who had a parent who attended ND. I'm under the impression that it could be a benefit, but I wouldn't bank on anything. Her best bet is to apply and hope maybe it will help her out.</p>
<p>She wouldn't technically be considered a legacy, in terms of the 25% admission goal stated by the university. Kevdude is right; the status is for the sons or daughters of a parent who graduated from ND.</p>
<p>I'd certainly make reference to all of these people in the essay or additional information sections, not so much in the context of "I have these, let me in", as in the context of having grown up around the university and what it stands for, having a clear sense of its mission, and a real, informed lifelong desire to be a part of it. </p>
<p>Also, each applicant is entitled to one additional letter of recommendation from an alumni--this in addition to the teacher and counselor letters--that goes in the main review file. The letter should be focused on your daughter, and what it is about her that will make her a good fit for ND's mission. I honestly believe the content of such a letter outweighs the prominence of the person who signs it--although a really top notch letter from someone prominent certainly doesn't hurt.</p>
<p>Never hurts to try!</p>