<p>Just a random question but would a (distant) legacy help at all with admissions? Specifically a great-grandfather? (class of 1923)</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>don't count on it. admissions is more interested in your ability to succeed.</p>
<p>There is come consideration for legacy, however not so sure how "distant" that goes- certainly an immediate family member, perhaps even a grandparent.... but at some point, we can all trace our roots back to "someone" who did "something"....</p>
<p>on that note, is your great-grandfather still living? If so, how lucky are you to share in his stories of the "good old days" when the Class of 1923 had the "last real Plebe Summer!" Now that is a gift!</p>
<p>Then again, if your great-grandfather was career Navy and earned a medal of honor, or high rank...you never know! You could mention it, but I would not put any stock in it. (Just make sure he did not earn any Black N's while on the yard! You never know- legacy can work 2 ways! ;) )</p>
<p>Truth be told, better to stand on your own merit.</p>
<p>The reason that legacies get a small bump in admissions at SAs is very different from the reason it usually happens at civilian colleges. At civilian colleges, legacy admissions are typically tied to fundraising -- either keeping current donors happy, encouraging legacy parents to become (larger) donors and/or keeping legacy parents from putting a stop to donations b/c their kid didn't get admitted.</p>
<p>Because SAs are mostly supported with government funds, donations aren't as much of an issue. Instead, the fact that a parent was a SA grad (doesn't really matter which SA) suggests that the child has a better understanding of military life. This, in turn, makes a child more likely to stay at a SA b/c there is more familiarity and not as much culture shock. We can all debate whether the above is true or not, but the SAs believe it is and presumably have data to prove it.</p>
<p>The bump you get is not large -- it is equivalent to the bump you get for being an Eagle Scout or doing exceptionally well in pull-ups. Every bit counts, but the fact that a parent was a grad is very unlikely to be a determining factor. There is less of a bump (if any) for other relatives because, typically, an aunt/uncle, grandparent or other relative's military service was less likley to have had a strong impact on your understanding of the military.</p>
<p>I don't think you'd get much of a bump for a great-grandfather from the Class of 1923 whom I'm guessing is no longer alive, based on his likely age today. Thus, the fact he was a grad won't be considerd to have had a major impact on you. If in fact it did -- if, as Navy2010 suggests, you did have a chance to talk with him or go through his things -- and that was a major impact on your decision to apply to USNA, you should mention it. Your essay and/or your BGO interview would be good places. Not that it will necessarily help you in admissions but it does help explain your motivation for wanting to attend USNA.</p>
<p>Finally, NOT having a relative who is a grad is NOT viewed as a negative (how's that for a double negative!). Sure, kids whose parents are grads or have some other tie to the military may be more likely to apply because they start out more knowledgable. That said, every year, I have candidates who are admitted to USNA who have zero military background. In fact, USNA is making a huge effort to market itself to students who have NOT been exposed to the military before. So, please don't believe that coming from an entirely civilian environment puts you at a disadvantage in the applications process -- it doesn't.</p>
<p>I don't know that there is an "official" bump, but a sibling having attended seems to be viewed favorably.</p>
<p>This may be a function of two kids coming out of a proven high school program, it may be a function of understanding the Academy a lot better the second time around, but there seems to be fair number of siblings who attend. [Even before the other sibling has graduated. I know of one circumstance where there was no military background, both females, and second femail is in line for an LOA. DISCLAIMER: The LOA has not been issued, do not get in a panic thinking that LOAs have gone out, which may be good time to remind that relatively few applicants are admitted under LOAs.]</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. I would definitely not be hoping that that alone would get me in or whatever. I was just curious about how the whole legacy thing works with service academies - the Naval Ac. more specifically (i live in Annapolis and know a lot of people @ the NA. )</p>
<p>And yes, unfortunately my great grandfather is no longer with us (and hasn't been for quite some time.).</p>
<p>Bill makes a good point. Sibling candidates even appear to be reviewed at the earliest possible date vs. others. I'd speculate this is the "best" bump.</p>
<p>An official legacy as far as Admissions is concerned is a candidate whose parents or legal guardians are currently active duty or are retired and collecting retirement (not reserves) from any branch or the service (officer or enlisted). Also, anyone who has a sibling who is currently attending or graduated from a Service Academy or parent/legal guardian who is an alum of any Academy (don't need to be still active duty or retired). The reasons, as far as I know, are basically what 1985 said in paragraph 2. His last paragraph is definitely true. You can always talk about other family in the military in your PST as it relates to your motivation and that may be taken into consideration subjectively.</p>
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The reasons, as far as I know, are basically what 1985 said in paragraph 2. His last paragraph ...
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<p>I believe that's "Hers" altho she seems to answer so nicely and well to many beckonings. For which many on this forum are so much better informed. Thanks '85! ;)</p>