How important are legacy admissions for selective colleges?

Hi everyone! I'm a junior and both of my parents went to a very selective college that I'm also interested in applying to. I'm wondering how big of a factor legacy admissions play in the college application process, especially for selective schools? Would being a legacy give me an advantage, or should I focus on other areas of my application? Thank you in advance for your insights!

Hi! It's great that you're interested in your parents' alma mater. Legacy can certainly play a role in college admissions, but its influence varies greatly from one institution to another. For some particularly selective colleges, having a legacy connection can be a slight advantage. However, it's still crucial to have a strong all-around application.

Legacy is typically just one of many factors considered in the admissions process. Your grades, extracurriculars, essays, and standardized test scores (if applicable) will carry more weight than your legacy status. Maintaining a high GPA, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and crafting well-written essays will be essential in making your application stand out.

In our own experience, my daughter applied to her dad's alma mater, but we didn't expect the legacy connection to guarantee anything. In fact, we encouraged her to put her best effort into every aspect of her application. Thankfully, she were admitted, and we believe it was a combination of her hard work, unique experiences, and her legacy status that made a difference.

So, while legacy admissions can provide an advantage, it's important to focus on other aspects of your application to ensure you present your very best self to the admissions committee. Best of luck!