University Student Parents: Are They Alumni Too?

Students with parents who are alumni of the university they are applying to are often called legacy students. There is a well-established practice of giving preference to legacy students, especially in elite colleges and universities. This is particularly true in Ivy League schools, where the children of alumni can make up as much as 15% of the student body. For example, the current acceptance rate for legacy students at Harvard is about 30%, which is significantly higher than their usual acceptance rate. This practice has been criticised by those who see it as an unfair or biased way of choosing students, especially since legacy students do not always perform better academically.

Are legacy students more likely to be accepted?

The children or grandchildren of a university's alumni are often referred to as "legacy students". There is a well-established practice of giving preference to legacy students during the admissions process, especially at elite colleges and universities. This is particularly true for Ivy League schools, where the children of alumni can make up as much as 15% of the student body.

A study of 180,000 student records from 19 selective colleges and universities found that, within a set range of SAT scores, being a legacy raised an applicant's chances of admission by 19.7 percentage points. Another study of 307,643 domestic applications to 30 selective colleges and universities in 2007 found that a primary legacy applicant (those with a parent who attended the institution as an undergraduate) was more than three times more likely to be admitted than they would have been without legacy status.

However, the impact of legacy status on admissions varies across institutions. A 2005 survey found that almost three-quarters of research universities and nearly all liberal arts colleges grant legacy preferences in admissions. By contrast, a 2024 survey of college admissions directors found that only 42% of admissions directors at private colleges and universities and 6% at public institutions considered legacy status a factor in admissions decisions.

In recent years, legacy admissions have come under increased scrutiny and criticism, particularly in light of reduced affirmative action policies in the US. As of 2023, four states have banned legacy admissions at universities, and a 2023 bipartisan bill was proposed in Congress to ban the practice.

Do legacy students perform better academically?

The question of whether legacy students perform better academically is a complex one and is currently the subject of much debate and scrutiny. Legacy students are those whose parents or other family members attended the same college or university. The practice of giving admissions preference to these students is known as legacy admission or legacy preference and has been a tradition at many higher education institutions, particularly in the United States.

There is evidence to suggest that legacy students tend to be less qualified academically than non-legacy students. For example, a 2019 study by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that 76% of economists surveyed agreed that legacy preferences crowd out applicants with greater academic potential. Additionally, legacy students are more likely to be white and come from privileged backgrounds, which contributes to a lack of diversity and equity in the admissions process.

On the other hand, some sources argue that legacy students perform at least as well as their non-legacy counterparts. For instance, a study by economist James Monks found that legacy students' academic performance was at least on par with that of non-legacy students. Furthermore, colleges often justify legacy preferences by claiming that these students have a stronger emotional connection to the institution and are therefore more likely to enrol and remain loyal alumni, contributing to the institution's financial stability through donations.

However, it is important to note that legacy status alone is usually not enough to secure admission. Most colleges still require legacy applicants to meet certain academic standards and consider legacy status as just one factor in the admissions process. The weight given to legacy status can vary depending on the institution and the applicant's profile.

In recent years, there has been increasing pressure on colleges and universities to end the practice of legacy preferences, with some top schools already discontinuing it. The debate surrounding legacy admissions centres on issues of fairness, diversity, and the role of academic merit in the admissions process.

Do legacy students have an advantage in the application process?

The children or grandchildren of a university alum are often called "legacy students". They are given preference in the application process at many colleges, especially more elite colleges and universities that may depend on large gifts from alumni. This is particularly true in Ivy League schools, where the children of alumni can make up as much of 15% of the student body. For example, the current acceptance rate for students of alumni at Harvard is about 30%, which is significantly higher than their normal acceptance rate.

A 2005 analysis of 180,000 student records obtained from 19 selective colleges and universities found that, within a set range of SAT scores, being a legacy raised an applicant's chances of admission by 19.7 percentage points. A study of thirty elite colleges found that primary legacy students are 45% more likely to gain admission than non-legacies. Secondary legacies (those with a looser connection to the university, such as through a grandparent or sibling) receive a lesser boost of 13%.

Some universities have alumni councils that provide legacies with special advising sessions, and some even employ admissions counsellors dedicated solely to legacy applicants. Some universities also waive non-resident fees for legacy applicants, or consider them in-state for the admissions process.

However, the practice of legacy preference is controversial. Critics argue that it is an unfair or biased way of choosing students, as legacy students tend to be less qualified and less racially diverse than non-legacy students. In 2023, the bipartisan Merit-based Educational Reforms and Institutional Transparency Act was proposed in the U.S. Congress to ban legacy preferences. By 2024, four states (Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, and California) had banned legacy admissions at universities.

Do legacy students have better access to scholarships?

The children or grandchildren of a university alum are often referred to as "legacy students". While there is no definitive answer, it is believed that legacy students have better access to scholarships. Most colleges offer some type of scholarship for family members of alumni, and depending on the university, the legacy scholarship may be open to children/stepchildren, grandchildren, siblings, and even nieces and nephews.

Legacy admissions have been criticised for disproportionately benefiting white students from wealthy backgrounds, and have been deemed unmeritocratic. However, supporters of legacy admissions argue that they promote fundraising and alumni engagement, and help promote a sense of community and connection among alumni.

In the US, over 100 institutions have eliminated legacy policies since 2015, and three states have banned legacy admissions at public institutions.

Do legacy students have an advantage in terms of fees?

Legacy students are those who have a parent, sibling, or other family member who previously attended the same college or university. While not all colleges consider legacy in their admission practices, the practice of giving admissions preference to relatives of alumni is widespread in the United States, with almost three-quarters of research universities and nearly all liberal arts colleges granting legacy preferences.

Legacy students tend to be more financially stable and are perceived to be more likely to donate to their university after graduation. They are also more likely to accept an offer of admission and require less financial aid, thus improving the college's yield rate and making enrollment predictions easier.

Some universities employ admissions counselors dedicated solely to legacy applicants, and it is common to provide scholarships or tuition discounts specifically for legacies. In addition, legacy students are often charged in-state tuition fees, even when they are out-of-state residents.

The advantages that colleges offer legacy students extend beyond admissions. Many colleges have various mechanisms for coaching legacies through the admissions process, such as special advising sessions, pairing prospective students with current legacy students, and providing advice and mentoring for legacy applicants.

However, the practice of legacy admissions is controversial. Critics argue that it is a form of racial and class discrimination that upholds historical exclusion and systemic advantages for predominantly white and affluent applicants. In addition, legacy students tend to be less qualified academically than non-legacy students.

In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny and pressure on institutions to halt the practice, with some states, including California, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, and Illinois, taking action to ban or limit legacy admissions.

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