What is Legacy Admission?

When you look at college admissions, one of the most controversial aspects of it is the legacy preference. This is a type of admission that is only granted to people who are known to have contributed to the establishment of the university. The most famous examples of these types of universities are Harvard, Amherst College, and Princeton University. However, other colleges are also involved in this tradition.

Harvard

A legacy admission is a coveted college acceptance that is awarded to the children of alumni of a particular institution. In many instances, these students have a four or five times better chance of admission than those who are not in the legacy group. This is a highly competitive process that requires the applicant to have a solid academic record, an engaging extracurricular program, and an impressive family history.

While these candidates may not be all the same, the fact remains that their odds of getting into Harvard are significantly greater than those of other applicants. It’s not a secret that Harvard is a notoriously hard school to get into. Those applicants with a legacy status are more likely to be accepted in the early round of the application process.

The Harvard legacy admission rate is four or five times higher than the general admission rate. However, this does not mean that the process is fair. There are still allegations of discrimination against Asian Americans and other groups. Some schools like Johns Hopkins have taken a public stance against the practice.

Legacy preference is a well-known phenomenon in elite universities, where some children of large donors are denied admission. This practice is not only a source of contention in the philanthropic world, but also in the legal arena. As a result, some schools have refused to release statistics.

Several of the nation’s elite colleges have taken a public stance against this trend. These include Johns Hopkins, the University of California system, and the Institute of Technology at MIT.

Though not a new trend, legacy preferences are growing in popularity at many of the country’s top tier institutions. Despite a number of lawsuits and high-profile news stories, this trend has not seen a significant decrease in favorability.

Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) is an anti-affirmative action advocacy group that has filed a lawsuit against Harvard College. SFFA claims that Harvard’s policy on legacy admission is akin to affirmative action. They claim that it is unfair to Asian American and White applicants.

Georgetown University

There are several prestigious colleges in the United States that still grant advantage to legacy candidates. Georgetown, Dartmouth, and Cornell are among those. However, the numbers may be more limited than what you are seeing at other schools.

Georgetown University admits 9% of its students who are a descendant of an alumni, faculty member, or staff member. As part of its commitment to diversity, Georgetown will also give preference to descendants of enslaved people.

In addition, Georgetown will promote scholarship in racial justice and create a memorial for enslaved people. The university has a working group on slavery and memory that is establishing archival resources to support genealogical research.

The working group has been studying the role that Georgetown played in facilitating the sale of 272 enslaved people in 1838. The university received the equivalent of $3.3 million. It will use that money to “deepen archival resources to support genealogical work,” according to a statement.

Although some schools limit legacy applicants to grandchildren of alumni, Georgetown will allow descendants of enslaved people to apply. This decision will put low-income students at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, the admissions process is open to all students.

Currently, Georgetown does not offer information about the number of legacies they admit in Early Action. However, it is likely that the school will be more likely to admit more students if more students declare their legacy.

Legacy status is a good indicator of interest. But it is not the only factor that colleges consider when they evaluate applications.

Georgetown’s admission requirements include a 2.3 GPA (unweighted) and 19 ACT composite score. These are averages for the class of 2021. Students must have an 18 in the Math sub-score and a 17 in the English sub-score. Applicants with higher scores are encouraged to apply.

A student who does not meet all of the university’s standards for admission, but is still a good fit, may be considered by a special academic committee. In addition, a writing sample can be considered.

Despite the fact that Georgetown admits fewer legacy applicants than some of its other competitors, the admissions office still views these candidates as an important piece of the application. They are also more likely to engage with their communities.

Princeton University

The Princeton University legacy admissions process involves a comprehensive evaluation of your entire application. In the case of this school, the process includes a lengthy essay and multiple short answer questions. For the Class of 2022, the average application was 33, but there was a substantial number of applications at 35,370. This resulted in a relatively low overall acceptance rate of 5.5%.

A number of Ivy League colleges boast a legacy acceptance rate of at least 10%. However, these numbers are a bit of a myth.

Among those schools, Harvard admits a sizeable number of legacies, while Brown and Yale admit a number of them as well. Nevertheless, the Pew Research Center reported that only 17 of the nation’s educational institutions accepted applicants with a legacy status.

Nonetheless, the Princeton legacy admissions process is one that must be understood. Although the acceptance rate for this year’s class is a little higher than in recent years, it remains a fraction of what it was.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to make the most of your legacy status. To do so, you need to submit a well-constructed application that contains the most relevant materials. That means great grades, extracurricular activities, and a stellar essay.

As for the best way to write that essay, take your time and focus on writing about what’s important to you. Remember, the Princeton University legacy admissions process requires you to highlight your achievements, but it also asks you to explain why you would be a good addition to the student body.

It’s also a good idea to mention connections to alumni. This is because ties to current students and alumni can carry a lot of weight in the admissions process. You can also mention any additional relatives who have attended Princeton, but this is not considered “children of alumni” status.

Finally, the Princeton University legacy admissions process requires students to demonstrate their academic challenge. Applicants can demonstrate their academic ability by answering three short answer questions. These are not the same as the more traditional essay topics.

Amherst College

In the wake of recent policy changes at Amherst College, many have voiced their opinions. Some are appreciative of the decision, while others are concerned with the effect on alumni contributions.

Amherst’s admissions preference change is part of a larger effort to increase financial aid and reduce inequities in the higher education system. The college hopes to create a community where students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed.

Legacy admissions have long played an important role in the admissions process. These preferences are still used by many of America’s most selective private colleges.

In addition to legacy consideration, Amherst College has also been known to grant applicants preference for parents who attended the school. According to the College’s dean of admissions, Matthew McGann, the goal is to attract students from all backgrounds, not just those from families with legacy connections.

Amherst is a liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1,850 students. As of 2020, fewer than 25 percent of all applicants were accepted. This year, the school received more than 10,000 applications.

Those who want to be admitted to the school must meet its academic standards. Despite its reputation for academic excellence, there are a few concerns regarding legacy admissions. Many argue that the policy favors wealthy applicants. However, there is no evidence that the policy actually works against equity.

Traditionally, legacy students represented about 11% of the entering class at Amherst. However, the percentage has dropped to 3.7% in 2021. Regardless, this is a positive move for the school.

While legacy applicants are no longer given preference for admission, Amherst College will continue to offer need-blind financial aid to all students. Students who qualify will receive full tuition scholarships, as well as housing and meals scholarships. They will also be provided with a Student Emergency Fund to cover unexpected medical expenses.

The financial aid program at Amherst is among the most substantial in the nation. Approximately 60 percent of Amherst students receive financial aid. It is not uncommon for Amherst to award full tuition scholarships to students from families in the bottom eighty percent of the income distribution.