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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
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800

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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What exactly are legacy admissions?

I've heard the term legacy admissions mentioned a few times, but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Can someone please explain what legacy admissions are in the context of college applications?

11 months ago

Legacy admissions is a practice followed by some colleges and universities where they give preference to applicants who have close family members, typically parents or siblings, who have attended or are currently attending the same institution. The idea behind this practice is to strengthen long-standing relationships with families and encourage a sense of loyalty and tradition within the college community.

While legacy admissions can provide an advantage to some applicants, it is crucial to understand that it does not guarantee admission to the institution. Applicants with legacy status still need to meet the college's academic and extracurricular criteria and go through a rigorous evaluation process, similar to non-legacy applicants. Legacy admissions may serve as a "tiebreaker" of sorts if two applicants have similar profiles and the admissions committee is looking for a factor to distinguish between them.

It's also essential to know that not all colleges and universities practice legacy admissions, and its impact on an individual's application can vary based on each institution's unique admissions policies. Some schools may place greater emphasis on legacy status than others. Ultimately, having a legacy connection can be helpful, but it is just one aspect of the overall admissions process, and applicants must still demonstrate their merit and fit for the institution.

11 months ago

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