Legacy students make up around 14% of the entering classes at Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth. When it comes to admissions, the fact is that legacy kids have an edge. What are legacy students, and how do they aid with the admissions process?

Legacy students are those who have a close family relative who went to the same college as them. This group of people is frequently given favors throughout the admissions process. In most schools, legacy is only considered for students who have had at least one of their parents attend the school.

Several colleges employ legacy status in admissions because they believe it increases devotion to the institution. They also believe it motivates alumni to give. In addition, legacy students are more likely to accept an admissions offer.

What Is The Influence Of Legacy On Admissions?

The legacy status impacts the admissions process at several colleges. According to 2011 research, legacy students had a 45 percent better likelihood of admission than other candidates.

For example, at an institution like Stanford, legacy kids enjoy a threefold increase in their chances of admission. Aside from elite institutions, several public schools give legacy preference. For example, during the admissions process, out-of-state children of previous graduates may be granted in-state status, increasing their chances of admission.

What Factors Do Colleges Consider When It Comes to Legacy?

Legacy students are not always given an advantage at all universities. Although most prestigious colleges consider legacy status before admitting students, less selective schools do not. Legacy status is important for most Ivy League colleges, but not all of them. For example, when it comes to admissions, MIT does not take legacy into account.

Furthermore, private universities are more inclined to value legacy status than public colleges. It should be noted that legacy status does not guarantee admittance.

What Is the Backstory Behind Legacy Admissions?

Legacy college admissions have a contentious history. Some prestigious institutions devised the legacy status over a century ago to prevent Jewish pupils from being admitted.

In 1922, Jewish students made up more than 20% of Harvard’s student body. The school president was afraid that if there were too many Jews at Harvard, white Protestants would stop applying, therefore the legacy criterion was devised to attract such applicants.

The number of colleges that employ legacy admissions has recently decreased. In 2004, 63 percent of the country’s top 250 colleges allowed legacy students. By 2020, this figure had dropped to 56%.

Finally, consider the following:

One thing is certain about legacy students: their days are numbered. Many students, it appears, will be relieved that it is over.