What Is Legacy Admissions?
Legacy admissions is the practice of giving preference in admission decisions to applicants who are related to alumni of the college, most often children of graduates. It is common at private US colleges and has been controversial, because it can favor students who already have advantages.
How it works
Colleges ask on the application whether a parent, grandparent or sibling attended the institution. Admissions readers may note this as a factor, and in some cases it provides a boost, a tie-breaker or a more careful review. The effect varies by institution and is rarely quantified publicly.
Some colleges have a related category, called "development" or "donor" preference, in which applicants with family connections to large donors receive extra consideration.
Arguments in favor
Supporters say that legacy preference builds loyalty and community, encourages alumni giving and engagement and helps colleges plan their classes, since legacy applicants often accept offers. Some argue that alumni parents may be good judges of fit.
Arguments against
Critics say that it reinforces privilege, since legacy applicants are disproportionately wealthy and white at many institutions, and that it limits opportunities for first-generation and lower-income students. They point out that it contradicts the idea of merit-based admission.
Changes in policy
Following debates about equity and the US Supreme Court's 2023 decision on race-conscious admissions, several colleges and some states have ended or limited legacy preference, and public colleges in some states are prohibited from using it. Policies are evolving, so check the current admissions policy of each college.
What applicants should know
If you are a legacy, you do not need to assume that you will be admitted. Present a strong record and honest, personal essays. If you are not a legacy, do not be discouraged. At most colleges the majority of admitted students are not legacies. You can find whether a college considers alumni relation in the Common Data Set.
Related terms
See holistic admissions, Common Data Set, demonstrated interest, acceptance rate and first-generation students.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a legacy applicant?
Usually a student with a parent or sometimes a grandparent or sibling who attended the college, depending on the school's definition. Some colleges consider only undergraduate alumni.
Do all colleges use legacy preference?
No. Many public universities and some private ones do not, and some have dropped it in recent years. The Common Data Set often shows whether a college considers alumni relation.
How much does legacy status help?
It varies and is not always disclosed. At some selective colleges legacies are admitted at higher rates than other applicants, though they are often also strong applicants.