<p>I was just curious, how exactly does having a close family member who went to Duke affect your chances at getting in? I'm asking because my father graduated from Duke in the 80's (back when it was easier to get into). Will this make any difference at all in the application process?</p>
<p>Being a legacy can increase your chances of acceptance .</p>
<p>Even when that person attended the university back when it was much less prestigious?</p>
<p>No, they only consider it legacy if the legacy connection was admitted while the acceptance rate was less than 30%.</p>
<p>Duke was still prestigious in the 80s. It was ranked #6 by U.S. News in 1985.</p>
<p>Legacy can help, but it won’t make an unqualified applicant suddenly qualified. Most legacy applicants are denied admission still.</p>
<p>Legacy is of greatest help if you apply ED, your commitment and familial connection to Duke will be a leg up. Otherwise, it’s probably minimal impact during RD.</p>
<p>Like everything else at Duke, the medical school rules and med school legacies give you a leg up in RD as well as ED.</p>