<p>hey I’m an rd applicant for 2014 and am probably not the strongest of applicants academically. I’m not an idiot or anything, I just done have a 4.0 or anything like that. my gpa is average (I go to a really competative prep school) and my acts are right in brandeis’ range (31). numerically, I probably dont stand out, and am therefore hoping to get a bit of a boost from my legacy status. both my parents and my aunt graduated from brandeis, and are fairly involved. my dad is chairing his classes’ reunion this coming summer and my mother interviews and frequently does college fairs on brandeis’ behalf. how much of an influence will this have on my application? thanks</p>
<p>Check out the common data set page 8, and some of the other pages, that gives you a general idea of how they rate different factors in admissions:
<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/institutionalresearch/pdfs/CDS2008_2009.pdf[/url]”>http://www.brandeis.edu/institutionalresearch/pdfs/CDS2008_2009.pdf</a></p>
<p>I think the fact that your parents are active alumni makes a big difference, as opposed to many alumni who grab their diploma and run.</p>
<p>Here’s what you need to do:
Have your parents write a letter to the dean of admissions, highlight their involvement with Brandeis and how you would be an asset to the Brandeis community.</p>
<p>Now, here’s the kicker: This sort of thing usually only works if you apply ED (not just at Brandeis, but for any school). What you are effectively asking is for the dean to go out of her way and get you admitted. If she were to do that, and you were to enroll somewhere else, well…that doesn’t look very good does it?</p>
<p>As an alumnus, I’ve been asked over the years to write recommendations for candidates. I will do this if I think the student is a good candidate for Brandeis, but <em>only</em> if they apply ED, for the reasons stated above.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Our D was also a double legacy (H and I were the classic Brandeis campus couple), and she was accepted despite credentials that would never have otherwise gotten her in. Neither of us has ever been active in alumni affairs, nor are we financial contributors. I think Brandeis just finds the double legacy thing irresistible and you’re very likely in. (D decided against attending–was unimpressed by her accepted students day experience and hated the look of the campus–oh well.)</p>