<p>Hi guys, my older sister graduated Duke (with summa cum laude) a few years ago and I was wondering if that counts as legacy? Thanks :)</p>
<p>It does indeed, although I believe it depends on how involved your sister remained after graduating. I have a friend whose brother graduated from Duke and continues to be heavily involved in the university’s affairs; I believe that her brother’s continued involvement gave her a substantial boost in the admissions process, although she was undoubtedly a strong applicant in her own right.</p>
<p>my S was deferred ED even tho D is a junior there, doing very well. his stats were higher than hers but he wasnt what they wanted this year. they told us they always give a sibling a second look—but its not worth much. now he’s back in with a 5% chance of getting in RD and wasted his ED so not sure where he’ll wind up.
seems mean to make a sibling live in a Blue house: Duke key chains, mugs, tshirts, bumperstickers, etc. and will be a constant reminder that one sibling wasnt good enough…</p>
<p>The children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, siblings and step siblings of alumni/current students are classified as “legacies,” which that is beneficial during the undergraduate admissions process, although normally not critically or decisively so.</p>
<p>Far more important, NOT ALL LEGACY APPLICANTS RECEIVE EQUAL BENEFIT FROM A DUKE HERITAGE. To illustrate, the child of an alumnus who graduated three-decades ago, but who has not participated in the University’s life – volunteer work, leadership, fund raising, local and campus alumni activities, academic and intellectual development, faculty assistance, reunion leadership, student mentoring, and so forth – will have a most marginal advantage over a candidate with no Duke family background. Conversely, the child of an alumnus who has devoted countless hours, distinguished professional/managerial talent, and appreciable charitable donations, etc. to Duke is likely to receive a FAR greater “legacy admissions” advantage.</p>