<p>my father and grandfather both went to oxford, how much will that help?</p>
<p>It won’t. In fact I think it is technically illegal to admit anyone to a UK (state funded - which is nearly all of them) university on the basis that their relatives went there. However, that is of course how it worked for centuries and I am sure a few still do get in because the tutor knew their dad (and as far as I know no-one has ever really been arrested for favouratism in admissions - yet). But I would NOT recommend mentioning your relatives at interview. The interviewers might think you are pleading with them and not clever enough to get in on your own merits. I think it’s much more likely to get you rejected than accepted. You still have to get the grades anyway.</p>
<p>Tony Blair’s oldest son Euan was offered a conditional place at Oxford but did not get the grades and was hence later rejected (his second son Nicky got in though). An ordinary student who missed by one grade, like Euan did, might be able to plead their case and still get in (quite a few do), but Euan was rejected immediately. If they had taken him the press would have been after the college screaming favouritism. Probably they’d have been attacked in the papers for months. There have been several scandals surrounding this sort of thing (going back to Prince Charles entering with ridiculously low grades many years ago). Oxford can no longer afford this bad press, especially as it can lead to (potentially) questions in Parliament and funding cuts.</p>
<p>British people are SHOCKED that legacy exists in America, given that they have spent hundreds of years trying to stamp it out here. It is seen as extremely anti-equality and viewed very negatively (ditto affirmative action). Hence I would strongly recommend not mentioning your connection, unless the question is “why did you choose this specific college?”, in which case “because my dad came here and loved it” is an acceptable answer.</p>
<p>thanks cupcake, i have the grades and the sports and ecs ect. to get in and i thought that the legacy would make them have more of a he has what it takes idea in their mind. Also, although i doubt this, will other schools, say yale, look at a legacy to another great school like oxford and help me get in Yale too?</p>
<p>Bumpbumpbump</p>
<p>yale wouldn’t care.</p>
<p>thanks for clarifying sternly.</p>