<p>I have heard that Cornell puts a considerable amount of emphasis on legacy in the admissions process. My mom went to Cornell, as did a few other members from her side of the family, so I was wondering if this would increase my chances of getting in.</p>
<p>The "other people on her side" won't help you, since only family members directly related to you (mother / father / grandmother / grandfather, etc) count as part of a legacy. </p>
<p>It will help that your mom is a Cornell alum, yes, but not enough to give you a significant leg-up over other qualified applicants. It's not like you're third-generation Cornell on both sides -- just one of your parents went. </p>
<p>So again, yes, it will help, just not enough for you to displace another applicant who is obviously a better match for Cornell. Get what I mean?</p>
<p>Yeah. My mom is absolutely infatuated with the school and would pretty much pee her pants if I ended up going. I think I have a good chance at getting in, but it's always comforting to know that I have at least a few slight advantages.</p>
<p>What are your stats? </p>
<p>I'm just curious; you don't have to post them if you don't want to.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.75-3.8ish unweighted by the end of this year... maybe a bit higher if i'm lucky. </p>
<p>AP's:
1 sophomore year (AP European History)
4 this year (AP Environmental Science, AP American History, AP Art History and AP English Language)
4 senior year (AP Economics/Government, AP Calc AB, AP English Literature, and AP Psychology)</p>
<p>ACT's: 28... only studied for a week though so I think i'll be able to bring it up to at least a 30 when I take it again</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Newspaper (hoping to be an editor next year)
NHS, EHS, SNHS, Quill and Scroll
I play the violin in an orchestra with kids from other high schools
Worked at the Diabetes Research Institute last summer
Working with kids who have down syndrome this summer</p>
<p>so an aunt wouldnt count right?</p>
<p>I always thought the more family connections, the better. The closer the relation, the better. The more money they give, the better. The more famous they are, the better. I don't think it's only limited to you parents.</p>
<p>It is limited to family members directly related to you.</p>
<p>There's no place on the application for you to mention alumni in your family that aren't your parents/grandparents/great-grandprents. Believe me, I tried; I was in a similar position (several of my aunts and uncles were alumni, but not my mother or father). The application has something like:</p>
<p>Legacy Applicants
Please list family members who have attended Cornell, along with their year of graduation and relation to you (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent).</p>
<p>Name:</p>
<hr>
<p>Year of graduation:</p>
<hr>
<p>Relation (circle one): (Parent / Grandparent / Great-Grandparent)</p>
<p>If your parents are active alum...then u may get a better dorm if u get in...but most likely, your thing will help u push over hte edge if you are close...</p>
<p>unless ur parents have a building named after them.</p>
<p>I'd say you have a good shot if u apply early and show ur interests...but cornell is a crapshot, i think cc has taught us that a long time ago</p>