<p>Here's the situation:</p>
<p>I just learned last night that my step-grandmother (rare, I know) attended Swarthmore. </p>
<p>Are step-relatives even applicable to legacy consideration?</p>
<p>I'm only a junior, but I will probably be applying to Swat ED next year. I doubt that this will even make a difference, let alone difference enough to tip the scales in my favor. But can I put it on the app in good conscience?</p>
<p>I seriously doubt that. I don't think it'll affect your admissions decision because they're not directly related to you</p>
<p>Ah...no, I don't think it would really help. I mean, the only legacy that really ends up meaning much is parents/siblings: other relatives can't hurt, but step-grand-parents (since it's not a blood relative) probably aren't going to really help. Step-anything isn't an option on the drop down list for legacy when you apply, but grandparent is, which I'm sure you can still place.</p>
<p>Either way, that's really cool! Good luck, regardless, especially if you do end up applying here ED! :]</p>
<p>Sure. The way the Swarthmore application is set up, you can list your step-grandmother. It probably won't help much, but no reason not to list it.</p>
<p>I have a step-grandmother too!</p>
<p>And yeah, others have basically said it. List it but don't expect it to do much.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for the enthusiastic responses. Of course I don't expect it to count for much if anything, but I don't think it could hurt!</p>
<p>As I said, I'm just a Junior, so I have yet to actually see a college app. Where do you list legacies? And what legacies can you list? Is it just parents, grandparents, and siblings? Or are cousins, uncles, aunts etc counted as well?</p>
<p>I've been quietly examining this thread and Swarthmore for a little while now. Frankly I'm too scared to visit it or learn too much about it because I know I will fall in love!</p>
<p>Lol just call her your grandmother ;)</p>
<p>If she has actually influenced your decision to apply by sharing wonderful memories it might be a hook of sorts or if she exemplifies some qualities that relate to Swarthmore or its repuation, you might use it in your why Swat essay.</p>
<p>
[quote]
As I said, I'm just a Junior, so I have yet to actually see a college app. Where do you list legacies? And what legacies can you list? Is it just parents, grandparents, and siblings? Or are cousins, uncles, aunts etc counted as well?
[/quote]
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<p>Unless they've changed it, the application has a line where you list the name, their year at Swarthmore, and their relationship to you. My daughter identified one as a "distant cousin of some sort". She listed him because he had arranged to spend several hours talking about Swarthmore with him, recommending a particular professor to introduce herself to on her overnight visit, etc. So, he had a cameo role in her "Why Swarthmore?" essay.</p>
<p>BTW, I wouldn't reject MallomarCookie's suggestion to just call her your grandmother. I wouldn't lie on the app, but depending on the situation, she might have really been "grandma" to you as you were growing up. </p>
<p>If it's a brand new "grandma" then, I probably wouldn't go that route.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've been quietly examining this thread and Swarthmore for a little while now. Frankly I'm too scared to visit it or learn too much about it because I know I will fall in love!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Don't be scared to visit! It's okay to fall in love with a school, especially since Swarthmore's a place that considers demonstrated interest (which I definitely used to my advantage, since I was without any particularly big hook). ;) I was a little nervous about it too while I was a sophomore/junior since I didn't want to get too attached...but trust me, things work out. And how will you know if it's the actually right place for you if you don't visit or do more research? Now's the perfect time to go looking into schools, and if you like Swat, you'll probably like other schools like Swat too. :D</p>
<p>Oh, and legacy on the application is pretty easy to fill out: you'll see it on the app when you apply.</p>