Preferential treatment is very common for private businesses, but it's also something that can be found in the education system. Specifically, certain schools implement legacy admission methodology, giving an advantage to applicants related to former alumni.
As you’d expect, this approach was often criticized by the general public as a form of discrimination. Things got even worse with
the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling, according to which schools aren’t able to give preferential treatment to students based on race. With this decision and previous legacy practices, American colleges became that much more elitist.
In this article, we'll explain the concept and how it affects the students. After reading this article, you should know if you can apply to one of these schools and what to expect if you get selected.
What Are Legacy Admissions?
The legacy system presumes that sons and daughters of past alumni will also show great
academic prowess. This is especially true if their parents have fantastic achievements in the research and business fields. The basic premise is that these applicants, through their genetics, will be more suitable for college spots than their peers.
It's worth mentioning that different colleges use different methodologies. For example, schools such as UNC and Stanford will only accept legacy students who are direct descendants (sons and daughters). Other institutions will give preferential treatment to the "secondary legacy," that is, students whose siblings and grandparents attended the college.
The reason why legacy admissions survive to this day is partially because the concept is more common for private colleges. In other words, these schools had the right to create their own selection process, even if it meant prioritizing certain groups. Legacy admissions are most common in the Northeast U.S., in institutions such as Boston College.
The Logic Behind Legacy Admissions
We've already mentioned that many schools believe legacy students are a better academic fit for their institution. But this is just a fraction of the bigger story.
Most critics will tell you that these private schools utilize legacy methodology because it affects their profitability. A
study done at the MIT Sloan School of Management corroborates this sentiment. The study shows that schools that implement this admission approach make much more money over time.
According to their findings, legacy students have much less trouble covering their tuition. This makes sense, given these applicants come from college-educated families that have more means. Legacy students don't require as much financial aid and are more likely to enroll in a legacy program their forefathers attended.
These students, their parents, siblings, and grandparents are more likely to
donate money to the college after graduation. In fact, we’ve seen cases where legacy families have tight connections with their universities and spend vast sums to support their work. We also can’t neglect the sense of community formed in schools with lots of legacy students.
How Does Legacy Status Affect Your Application
If you have great test scores and grades, and your first choice is a legacy school your parent attended, there's a high chance you'll be admitted. In these cases, you should consider early action to increase your odds further. The best
college admission experts will agree this is the best way to a fulfilling professional career.
Through the legacy system, colleges are able to fill their spots much earlier, and students can determine if they will get a spot. By applying to a school from the get-go, these applicants show a high level of interest, which works for both parties.
The legacy approach also affects the students' application methodology. For example, certain schools only take into account legacy status if a candidate goes for E.A. or E.D. However, if you're unwilling to apply early, there's a good chance that the school will dismiss you as unserious (even if you have excellent grades).
Schools That Focus on Legacy Admissions
Based on a comprehensive analysis performed by
Forbes magazine, we've determined that approximately 80% of legacy students enjoy preferential treatment. In other words, out of 100 top-ranking colleges in the U.S., 78 give a high consideration to your family background. On the other hand, only 15% of public colleges use legacy systems.
This makes the best universities in America practically reserved for children and grandchildren of past alumni. Another study confirms this sentiment; legacy students with wealthier backgrounds have five times more chances of being accepted to an Ivy League program. Even if your family isn't rich, your chance of admission increases by three times if you're a legacy applicant.
Should Schools Allow Legacy Concept?
The big question is whether or not schools should allow legacy admissions. In recent years, many universities have faced added pressure to stop this practice. Among other things, critics highlight the
lack of diversity as the biggest reason why the legacy concept should be put to rest.
Given that the Supreme Court has recently prevented racial preferences during admission, it only makes sense that the legacy system should be deemed illegal. However, it's hard to say if this will ever come to pass. Schools make too much money from this system, while the powerful U.S. families are also against it.
Colleges That Use Legacy Admissions
If your college uses the legacy methodology, and one of your family members has graduated from its program, you should consider the legacy pathway. The practice is available across the U.S., with Alaska, Nevada, and Wyoming being the only states that don't have any schools of this kind.
The five colleges that give the
biggest value to legacy status are Elon University, Oberlin College, Boston College, Southwestern University, and the University of Puget Sound. These schools give enormous advantages to anyone whose grandparents, siblings, and parents were alumni.
Other Considerations
Although legacy practice sounds great in theory, keep in mind this doesn’t guarantee a spot. Legacy status is just one of numerous things that educational institutions in America take into account. So, you’ll still need to study hard and get your grades and scores in order.
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