My legal father (ie the one in the Common App, the one I live with, and the one who raised me) did not go to Yale. However, my biological father went to Yale for undergrad. On the Yale Common App, there is no place to list relatives other than grandparents (I assume they get the parent info from where it is inputted on the CA). I’ve remained very close with my biological father and was wondering if there was some way to indicate that relationship? Would this kind of legacy even matter?
As this situation doesn’t come up very often (first time I’ve heard of it), I don’t think anyone will know the answer. I would call Yale Admissions and ask them.
I’m curious. Has the father that you list on the Common App adopted you? Has your biological father formally give up his parental rights? I don’t want to cause you pain with these questions, but those behaviors don’t correspond with a situation where you’ve “remained very close with [your] biological father.”
Would your “legal” father’s feeling be hurt if you listed your biological father on your app?
Full disclosure: I have 2 children from a previous marriage, and have welcomed any relationship that my kids had with another male presence in their lives, but I consider myself to be their father, even after a difficult period with one of them (thankfully fixed).
As gibby said, call Yale, but they might have some similar questions. Good luck, and please let us know what they say, as it could help the next time someone asks.