The Power of Legacy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I'm a 7th generation legacy to Harvard. My dad does the alumni interviews.</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>SATS: 800 Verbal, 710 Math, 710 Writing
SAT IIs: 790 Chemistry, 770 US History
Extracurriculars: Debate Team Captain, NHS President, Class President, Varsity Cross Country + more
Class Rank: 3 of 411
APs: US History 5
Chemistry 5
English Composition 5
Government and Politics 5
I was deferred. </p>

<p>This is not intended as a whine, merely as an information thread regarding the power of legacy nowadays at Harvard. </p>

<p>Congratulations to those accepted!</p>

2

<p>I'm speechless...</p>

3

<p>That's very surprising. Hmm...? Don't they have a special thing for long-time legacies where you can wait for a year and then get in? Maybe they have that in store for you?</p>

4

<p>6 generations of Harvard, WOWzers. Good luck in RD. I don't think the Supplement even has enough spaces for 6 generations.</p>

5

<p>That's one thing I wondered vu. I never noticed a question anywhere asking, "Did you parent/grandparent go to Harvard?" The only opportunity was on the general form for where your parents attended school. I guess legacy means little to Harvard anymore. C'est la vie.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your unrancorous post. There is a lot of misconception out there about legacies and the unfair advantages these "rich white kids" get. What happened to you also happens to legacies at the other Ivies, too.</p>

<p>I am sure you will do well in your future endeavors.</p>

7

<p>My sympathies on your deferral.
I am glad that you posted because your post definitely lets people know that admission is not easy even for legacies. Back in the old days, being a legacy was virtually an automatic admit, but that's not the case now.</p>

<p>The legacies whom I have seen admitted in recent years have had national achievements (in addition to being National Merit finalists) as well as stellar stats. I even have seen a URM get waitlisted and then rejected even though the student had state level achievements in fairly unusual ECs and a mom was a longtime alum interviewer.</p>

<p>(So much, too, for the myth that admission is easy for URMs!)</p>

8

<p>I agree. URMS seem to be very well represented these days. I don't think that it's as much as a "hook" as many people would like to think. ALmost a tip-factor, really.</p>

9

<p>Harvard's stance is that race/ethnicity is, as SemperSpero wrote, a tip factor. It is NOT an automatic hook for admission.</p>

<p>However that's just one of the many facts that I've said on this board that people don't want to hear.</p>

10

<p>Exactly, EAS. There are thousands of minorities applying each year to ivy league schools. it's not like they saw a black guy's app and went insane because they'd never seen such a thing. The number of low-income students who apply is rising (they know by fee waivers, zip codes, parents' education, etc), but unless you were that AND had an amazingly steller applicant, you were deferred. They'll probably wait till RD so they get all the applications in and can pick the best ones... But still, being low-income may at best be used as a tip-factor if you persuade them that you overcame tons of obsticles. If you're like Liz Murray and homeless, well, that's another story and could probably be considered a hook. Another example: 1.) I'm from Wyoming and here the very few people who apply aren't very well qualified. 2.) Harvard wants "geographical diversity" --- my location was probably a tip-factor at best.....</p>

11

<p>I'm a 4th generation legacy, both my parents included. </p>

<p>SATs: 800 Verbal, 780 Writing, 750 Math
SAT IIs: 800 Math IIc, 800 US History, 780 Math Ic, 760 Chemistry
ECs: MUN officer, Robotics Club officer, Lead Trumpet in Jazz Band
GPA: 3.75</p>

<p>Deferred as well.</p>

<p>It may have been my grades, but I'm agreeing that maybe the effect of legacy is losing power. Which is good for the world, but bad for me and my twin brother!</p>

12

<p>pwned! maybe you got deferred because you're a liar! you christian fundamentalist scum. east rox! go ms! n00b!</p>

13

<p>Wow... I graduated from Harvard in 1993... I wonder if I could have gotten in nowadays... I don't think so... has admissions gotten that much more competitive than 10-15 years ago???</p>

14

<p>They've gotten rediculously more competitive.</p>

15

<p>well, to answer your question, the power of legacy could most aptly be compared to the power of cheese.</p>

<p>just behold it.</p>

16

<p>My friend who also applied RD has a dad that was Valedictorian of Harvard. That is insane. A legacy...and the son of a valedictorian.......my chances from my school have decreased...:(</p>

17

<p>i dont think the performance of the relative effects how much weight they give the hook...a legacy is a legacy I would think</p>

18

<p>Word to your mother.</p>

19

<p>ok, I have a question that I'd like to have settled once and for all. I've asked this in a prior forum and got mixed answers: Does one count as a legacy to Harvard if a parent attended GRADUATE school, not undergrad at H?
(my pop went to harvard law)</p>

<p>thanks all.</p>

20

<p>No. Apparently this has to be 10 characters.</p>