How much does legacy help?

Hi all, my dad went to a pretty prestigious college and I've heard that legacy status can help in admissions. Is that true? If so, how much of an advantage does it give me?

Legacy status does offer an advantage in college admissions, though the extent of its influence varies from college to college. In general, legacy applicants tend to have a higher acceptance rate compared to non-legacy applicants. However, it's important to keep in mind that being a legacy applicant alone will not guarantee admission. Your academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and overall application still need to be strong.

The advantage varies by school—some institutions place more emphasis on legacy status, while others may only use it as a supplementary factor. Generally, the more selective and prestigious the institution, the greater the potential impact. The competitive nature of the admissions process at such schools may lead them to consider factors like legacy status to help fill their classes with diverse and engaged students.

It's also worth noting that legacy often carries more weight in Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) rounds at many schools. Applying early can demonstrate a strong interest in the institution, and this, along with the legacy connection, can give you a better chance of being admitted.

Ultimately, while legacy does offer some advantage, a strong application is still key—having a great overall profile will significantly improve your chances of getting into a selective college, whether you have legacy status or not. So make sure you focus on your academics, extracurriculars, and crafting a compelling application that highlights your unique qualities and achievements.