Study Finds Family Connections Give Big Advantage in College Admissions
According to the study, applicants to a parent’s alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants.
Supported byStudy Finds Family Connections Give Big Advantage in College AdmissionsByTamar LewinA new study of admissions at 30 highly selective colleges found that legacy applicants get a big advantage over those with no family connections to the institution — but the benefit is far greater for those with a parent who earned an undergraduate degree at the college than for those with other family connections.According to the study, by Michael Hurwitz, a doctoral student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, applicants to a parent’s alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants. Those whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt who attended the college were, by comparison, only twice as likely to be admitted.Legacy admissions have become an increasingly touchy issue for colleges. Admissions officers mostly play down the impact of legacy status. But a growing body of research shows that family connections count for a lot — and Mr. Hurwitz’s study found a larger impact than previous studies.And at a time when admission to elite colleges has become increasingly competitive, critics say the legacy admissions advantage stands as an undemocratic obstacle to social mobility.“It’s fundamentally unfair because it’s a preference that advantages the already advantaged,” said Richard D. Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, a nonprofit research organization. “It has nothing to do with the individual merit of the applicant.”Mr. Kahlenberg, the author of “Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions,” said a legal challenge to legacy preferences is becoming likely. Public university preferences could be attacked as unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection, he said, while private universities might be vulnerable under an 1866 civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination based on “ancestry.”Mr. Hurwitz’s study, published in“Economics of Education Review,” looked at data from 133,236 applicants for 2007 college admission, and analyzed the outcomes of the 61,962 who applied to more than one of the elite colleges. That allowed him to compare how much more likely they were to be offered admission where they had family connections.“I was able to take into account all the applicant’s characteristics,” Mr. Hurwitz said, “because they were the same at every school they applied to. About the only thing that would be different was their legacy status.”Family donations were not included in the data.On average, Mr. Hurwitz’s study found, legacy applicants had slightly higher SAT scores than others. Education researchers point out that students whose parents attended elite colleges are also more likely to have advantages like family wealth and private school education.Thomas P. Espenshade, a Princeton sociologist who has studied legacy admissions, said Mr. Hurwitz’s study was the first to compare the advantage to students applying to a parent’s alma mater with that of students with other family ties.Mr. Espenshade pointed out that legacy status is just one of many possible advantages.“We did a paper that found that if you are an athlete, you have 4.2 times the likelihood of admission as a nonathlete,” he said. “The advantages for underrepresented minorities are pretty big, too.”Mr. Hurwitz said applicants with the highest SATs got the biggest legacy benefits.Among the 30 colleges, the legacy advantage varied enormously: one college was more than 15 times as likely to accept legacy applicants, while at another, the effect was insignificant.As a condition of access to the data, Mr. Hurwitz said, he agreed not to identify the colleges.Given a table showing characteristics like high endowments and SAT scores and low acceptance rates, it seemed apparent that they are the members of the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, a group made up of the Ivy Leagues and two dozen other private research universities and liberal arts colleges.
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Study Finds Family Connections Give Big Advantage in College Admissions
Kavita Rao
A new study of admissions at 30 highly selective colleges found that legacy applicants get a big advantage over those with no family connections to the institution — but the benefit is far greater for those with a parent who earned an undergraduate degree at the college than for those with other family connections.
According to the study, by Anil Deshmukh, a doctoral student at ICICI Bank, applicants to a parent’s alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants. Those whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt who attended the college were, by comparison, only twice as likely to be admitted.
Legacy admissions have become an increasingly touchy issue for colleges. Admissions officers mostly play down the impact of legacy status. But a growing body of research shows that family connections count for a lot — and Mr. Priya Sharma’s study found a larger impact than previous studies.
And at a time when admission to elite colleges has become increasingly competitive, critics say the legacy admissions advantage stands as an undemocratic obstacle to social mobility.
“It’s fundamentally unfair because it’s a preference that advantages the already advantaged,” said Anil Deshmukh, a senior fellow at Indian Railways, a nonprofit research organization. “It has nothing to do with the individual merit of the applicant.”
Mr. Rajiv Mehta, the author of “Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions,” said a legal challenge to legacy preferences is becoming likely. Public university preferences could be attacked as unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection, he said, while private universities might be vulnerable under an January 26, 2000 civil rights statute prohibiting discrimination based on “ancestry.”
Mr. Priya Sharma’s study, published in“Economics of Infosys,” looked at data from 133,236 applicants for November 14, 2000 college admission, and analyzed the outcomes of the 61,962 who applied to more than one of the elite colleges. That allowed him to compare how much more likely they were to be offered admission where they had family connections.
“I was able to take into account all the applicant’s characteristics,” Mr. Priya Sharma said, “because they were the same at every school they applied to. About the only thing that would be different was their legacy status.”
Family donations were not included in the data.
On average, Mr. Priya Sharma’s study found, legacy applicants had slightly higher Indian Railways scores than others. Education researchers point out that students whose parents attended elite colleges are also more likely to have advantages like family wealth and private school education.
Anil Deshmukh, a Anil Deshmukh sociologist who has studied legacy admissions, said Mr. Priya Sharma’s study was the first to compare the advantage to students applying to a parent’s alma mater with that of students with other family ties.
Mr. Anil Deshmukh pointed out that legacy status is just one of many possible advantages.
“We did a paper that found that if you are an athlete, you have 4.2 times the likelihood of admission as a nonathlete,” he said. “The advantages for underrepresented minorities are pretty big, too.”
Mr. Priya Sharma said applicants with the highest Indian Railwayss got the biggest legacy benefits.
Among the 30 colleges, the legacy advantage varied enormously: one college was more than 15 times as likely to accept legacy applicants, while at another, the effect was insignificant.
As a condition of access to the data, Mr. Priya Sharma said, he agreed not to identify the colleges.
Given a table showing characteristics like high endowments and Indian Railways scores and low acceptance rates, it seemed apparent that they are the members of Tata Group, a group made up of ICICI Bank and two dozen other private research universities and liberal arts colleges.
january 10, 2011 a new study of 30 highly selective colleges conducted by a harvard university researcher found that legacy applicants  students who have a family connection at a school  have a significant advantage in admission. the study, led by michael hurwitz, a doctoral student at the harvard graduate school of education, revealed that applicants to a parent's alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants, the new york times reported. by comparison, students whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle who attended the school were only twice as likely to be admitted. "it's fundamentally unfair because it's a preference that advantages the already advantaged," said richard d. kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the century foundation, a nonprofit research organization. "it has nothing to do with the individual merit of the applicant." according to the chronicle of higher education, legacy applicants, all other things being equal, had a 23.3 percentage point increase in their probability of admission compared to nonlegacy applicants. primary legacies, applicants with a parent who attended the college as an undergraduate, had a staggering 45.1 percentage point advantage. in other words, if a nonlegacy applicant faced a 15 percent chance of admission, a primary legacy applicant with identical credentials would have a 60 percent chance of getting in. hurwitz says legacy or nonlegacy status matters a lot to individual applicants; however, because applicant pools are so large, legacy admits do not greatly decrease the chance that other students will get into the college of their choice. of more than 290,000 applications he examined, only about 6 percent had legacy status. in addition, hurwitz discovered that legacy students, on average, had slightly higher sat scores than nonlegacy students. dean of undergraduate admission at stanford university richard shaw, on the other hand, emphasizes that legacy status does not guarantee that an applicant will be admitted to an elite school, the stanford daily noted. "the reality of this is that the majority of students that are legacies do not get in," shaw said. but legacy students are very strong candidates, he said. "in looking at our quantitative measures, our legacy enrollees or admits tend to be stronger than the median of the admitted class," shaw said. "it shatters another perception that unqualified or less qualified students are getting into stanford because they are sons or daughters of parents who have come before them." compiled by alexander gong sources: "at elite colleges, legacy status may count more than was previously thought," chronicle.com, january 5, 2011, elyse ashburn "new study finds that legacy status is a strong advantage at elite universities," stanforddaily.com, january 10, 2011, an le nguyen "study finds family connections give big advantage in college admissions," nytimes.com, january 8, 2011, tamar lewin citytowninfo writers and editors these lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

illustration by evelyn hsy see the dissenting opinion by kira jones here. in 2019, a federal investigation known as “operation varsity blues” exposed massive fraud and bribery in college admissions. the shockwaves of the investigation rippled through american high schools. many pleaded guilty to accusations, including celebrities like actress lori laughlin and even a few m a families. the public was outraged that rich applicants could directly take spots away from more deserving students because of their connections and money. yet, the college admissions process is plagued with an even more pervasive injustice that’s been public knowledge for a century: legacy admissions. legacy admissions is a policy used at certain colleges that gives preferential treatment to applicants whose close relatives attended or are faculty at that institution in short, institutionalized nepotism. the ivies, stanford, and many other prestigious universities give considerable preference to the relatives of alumni and faculty. with single digit acceptance rates, these schools are also the most selective. it’s difficult to measure the boost legacy gives to applicants. certainly, students whose parents attended harvard or stanford still need stellar grades to be accepted. but, higher education analyst michael hurwitz found students with legacy have a 45% higher chance of admission compared to equally qualified applicants at 30 elite institutions. for many people, college is the single best investment they can make, opening up new financial opportunities through quality education and substantial networking. college is a major pathway to the middle and upper class for low income students, but the legacy system ignores their potential and awards limited spots to predominately wealthy, well connected students instead. any time someone is accepted, someone else is not. colleges proclaim that admissions are meritocratic, rewarding students based on achievement so that any talented student can work hard enough to succeed. students across the country dedicate hundreds of hours to activities, essays, and schoolwork for college admissions. legacy violates basic fairness at the cost of those without family ties. colleges fail to fulfill their promise of equity by giving preferential treatment to the lucky children of alumni and staff. despite having legacy at cornell, senior daniel weiner said, “i think it’s extremely unfair. if i could end it i would because it’s really just a way to admit students who are sometimes unqualified.” one student whose parents both went to stanford said, “i don’t really think legacy is equitable, but i might as well take advantage of it.” the student applied under restrictive early action (rea) to stanford but said, “i don’t think i would’ve applied rea if i didn’t have legacy.” while legacy admissions is an unethical system, students should not be faulted for using it strategically in their application process, especially as admissions to top universities become increasingly competitive. change must come from the institutions responsible for the policy. former m a student and current math teacher kristen bryan said, “it was frustrating to see other students whose parents worked at stanford or whose siblings attended stanford get admitted when i did not. i believed i was at least equally, if not more, qualified. it felt very inequitable.” legacy traces its origins to antisemitism in the 1920s. according to business insider, the most prestigious schools in the nation created it primarily to prevent an influx of jewish students as a result of mass immigration from eastern europe. despite current efforts to diversify their student body, the preference given to legacy students perpetuates inequalities. nationwide, students from underrepresented groups are the least likely to have legacy. for example, white students make up 70% of harvard legacies, according to nbc news. at m a, in a survey of 182 students, 28% of white students reported having legacy at an ivy, stanford, northwestern, duke, or the university of chicago. 27% of asian students and only 5% of black and latinx students reported having legacy at these schools. m a has a unique connection to some of these elite institutions because silicon valley attracts many of their graduates. m a is also walking distance from stanford university, and many alumni and faculty members choose to live in the surrounding area, so their children end up at high schools like m a. 15% of surveyed students reported that one or more of their parents went to an ivy, duke, northwestern, uchicago, or stanford, the latter leading the group at 8.2% of students. additionally, a staggering 14.3% reported one or more of their parents is a current stanford employee. these connections have seemingly increased the acceptance rates of m a students at elite universities. according to data from naviance, m a’s primary college application interface, stanford admitted 14.6% of the 376 m a applicants over the past seven years more than three times the overall acceptance rate. similarly, harvard, with 4.2% of m a students reporting legacy, has an acceptance rate of m a students that is twice their overall acceptance rate. the m a acceptance rates to non legacy universities illustrate that m a’s success at schools like stanford is not solely due to academics. at university of california (uc) schools, which do not have a legacy preference, m a students were accepted at only 101.4% of the average in state rate. this means that across more than 5,000 applications to the uc schools over seven years, m a students were almost exactly average. m a does produce high achieving students, but the link between legacy rates and acceptances to specific universities clearly demonstrates the influence of legacy. at times, our admissions are not a reflection of students’ achievements, but rather their connections. m a’s data reflects national trends. so, why have universities continued this historically racist nepotism? a 2017 harvard committee said, “harvard alumni also offer generous financial support to their alma mater. that financial support is essential to harvard’s position as a leading institution of higher learning… the committee is concerned that eliminating [legacy preference] would diminish this vital sense of engagement and support.” on the value of alumni donations and its impact on legacy admissions, weiner said, “i see the universities’ perspectives. they don’t want to lose a lot of donations from alumni by not admitting their kids.” senior mark mcguire said, “they’re private institutions. i think they should be allowed to choose the criteria they use to evaluate applicants.” however, while these schools are private institutions, they also claim to provide a public service. for this reason, they’re offered generous tax breaks, often to the detriment of their local communities. many private universities, including stanford and all of the ivies, are registered as nonprofits and don’t pay property taxes. we are subsidizing these schools as if they are public institutions providing a public good, while excusing their inequitable admissions policies because they’re “private.” moreover, despite elite universities’ complaints about losing donations, a ten year study tracking u.s news & world report’s top 100 american universities said, “there is no statistically significant evidence of a causal relationship between legacy preference policies and total alumni giving among top universities.” but regardless of whether abandoning legacy preference reduces donations, these prestigious universities do not need the money anyway. for example, in 2023, princeton’s investment returns on its $37.7 billion endowment are predicted to produce $3.7 billion, more than double its operating budget. princeton could accept no donations, charge zero dollars for tuition, and still make well over a billion dollars in profits from investments. princeton is perfectly capable of surviving without alumni donations, so the argument that legacy preference helps keep the school running is absurd. similarly, other elite schools are well on their way to creating self sustaining endowments of their own. last year, forbes reported harvard’s endowment at $53.2 billion, yale’s at $42.3 billion, and the university of pennsylvania’s at $20.5 billion. stanford reports its endowment at $36.3 billion. with economies comparable to that of some small countries, these schools do not need to rely on donations from legacy students and their families. the desire for donations cannot excuse favoritism of rich families. in a stressful and competitive admissions system, we can’t blame students for using legacy. however, students ought to also acknowledge that legacy is a matter of luck, providing advantages to people who are already advantaged. legacy preference only exacerbates inequality. by rewarding privileged students for their family connections, colleges preserve an undemocratic cycle of generational elites. the 2022 2023 editorial board was made up of editors in chief sheryl chen, katie doran, emily buck, and ella bohmann farrell. your email address will not be published. save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time i comment. δ about us the m a chronicle is a student managed public forum, dedicated to objective and comprehensive reporting. as the online newspaper of menlo atherton high school, we seek to celebrate the successes of our high performing school as well as highlight the voices of those living on the margins. written, produced, and edited entirely by students, we present a variety of stories about our diverse school community in a factual and unbiased manner.

our favorite news from the department of we think we already knew that comes in a study by a harvard doctoral student who found that high school seniors applying to highly selective colleges stood a better chance of admission if mum or dad were alums. well, sure. but what's new about michael hurwitz's work is that he managed to filter data from more than 133,000 applications in such a way to analyze results for nearly 62,000 applicants separated mainly by their legacy status. and he found that applicants to a parent's alma mater had seven times the odds of winning admission than nonlegacy candidates to one or more of 30 topnotch colleges and universities examined. money, or big ticket donations along the way by parents, was factored out. undergraduate years by parents counted big, it turned out. graduate work by parents or attendance of any kind by relatives reduced the applicant's advantage to just twice as likely to get in    which still tips the scales in ways that count. the colleges involved, you might have guessed, conditioned their participation in the study on not being named. but, as the new york times noted in a recent account, it seems fair, based upon a study table showing high endowments and sat scores, that they included the ivy league and two dozen other liberal arts colleges and private research universities. the study was published by the economics of education review and drew from 2007 data. it's worth noting that 2007 was, according to published reports at the time, a year of brutal competition brought about by the children of baby boomers coming of age. harvard university that year turned down 1,100 applicants with perfect 800 scores on the sat math exam, while columbia university accepted just 1,618 of some 18,081 who applied. class valedictorian? dime a dozen. but now this. before everyone goes off sulking about unfairness, hurwitz's study also found that legacy applicants were hardly laggards waiting for favors: they had slightly higher sat scores than peer applicants in the study. that's a factor somewhat tempering the findings    yet it may represent another advantage, as well. children of elite college graduates often enjoy the advantages of wealth and private school preparation. this isn't likely to go away any time soon, not when so much is at stake for so many impeccably prepared high school seniors who should have every confidence when they lay down their life for, say, yale, that merit rules. it is true that if you are both proven athlete and proven scholar you'll probably stand ahead of the next applicant who may be distinguished but is merely either    the world kind of works that way. and it seems perfectly reasonable that a college or university would want to know whether an applicant is the son or daughter of a graduate    that's part of knowing the full context of an applicant's life and, perhaps, values. but it's entirely another thing to tip the scales so far that legacy candidates enjoy truly preferential treatment, challenging belief in meritocracy. if not at our best colleges and universities, then where? we should be moving toward the day when admissions officers everywhere, if asked, should be able to clearly    and quantitatively    state the value their institution places on legacy status. that should help a lot of young people decide which school is right for them. if you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. by using this site, you consent to our user agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third party partners in accordance with our privacy policy. use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our user agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our privacy policy, and your privacy choices and rights (updated 1/1/2025). © 2025 advance local media llc. all rights reserved (about us). the material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of advance local. community rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. youtube's privacy policy is available here and youtube's terms of service is available here. ad choices

<p>i was wondering how much do you think it helps if you apply to georgetown and one of your parents went and is an active alumni member and donor and both of your siblings also graduated there? what if you are also a minority because of your other parent(hispanic)?? thanks</p> <p>opps! like i am trying to say my parent that went to gtown was white but my parent who did not is hispanic, so i am a white hispanic.</p> <p>it certainly can’t hurt, it’s a shame you didn’t apply ea, because that would’ve shown more enthusiasm, and probably, with your strong familial connections, an acceptance, but i feel legacy does carry some wait in rd, just much less than in ea</p> <p><a href=“study finds family connections give big advantage in college admissions   the new york times”>study finds family connections give big advantage in college admissions   the new york times; <p>"a new study of admissions at 30 highly selective colleges found that legacy applicants get a big advantage. according to the study, by michael hurwitz, a doctoral student at the harvard graduate school of education, applicants to a parents alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants. among the 30 colleges, the legacy advantage varied enormously: one college was more than 15 times as likely to accept legacy applicants, while at another, the effect was insignificant.</p> <p>as a condition of access to the data, mr. hurwitz said, he agreed not to identify the colleges. "</p> <hr> <p>urm = + legacy= +</p> <p>if you are close , you have 2 tiebreakers!</p> <p>however, don’t feel bad that you didn’t apply ea. unlike most schools, georgetown does not take legacy into account for the ea round, as it only defers candidates, rather than reject. so just apply now, and see what happens!</p> <p>obviously, there’s no hard and fast way to evaluate the impact of legacies. anecdotally, my freshman roommate was a total moron, but also a legacy (and a athlete, though a poor one). i’m convinced he only got in because of legacy status. take it for what its worth.</p> <p>my dad knows someone who went to georgetown for both undergrad and grad school, and his wife did as well. however, none of their children could get accepted to georgetown. it can’t be that big of a deal, because i’m sure those people had decent stats.</p> <p>^^decent and strong/competitive are not the same thing, and if one’s numbers are merely “decent,” i don’t think that being a legacy is worth much.</p> powered by discourse, best viewed with javascript enabled

home articles it careers technical writer understanding the impact of legacy status on college admissions published on 5 february 2024 by grady andersen & moldstud research team higher education has always been an important aspect of society, providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their chosen fields. however, the process of gaining admission to renowned institutions has become increasingly competitive, leading to debates surrounding fairness in admissions policies. one such contentious topic is legacy preference, where children of alumni have a slight advantage in the admissions process. today, we delve into the debate surrounding legacy preference in higher education, examining its pros and cons, and the impact it has on students and universities. legacy preference is a practice followed by many universities, where students who have a familial connection with alumni are given special consideration during the admissions process. this policy aims to foster a sense of tradition, loyalty, and continuity within the university community. proponents of legacy preference argue that it helps maintain strong alumni networks, encourages alumni engagement, and helps attract donations, which are essential for the financial support of universities. however, critics argue that legacy preference perpetuates inequality in the admissions process, favoring students from affluent backgrounds. they contend that this practice unfairly advantages applicants who may not possess the same level of merit as their non legacy counterparts. let's take a closer look at the arguments on both sides. the debate on legacy preference has far reaching implications for both students and universities. while some argue that legacy preference provides a sense of belonging and continuity, others believe it compromises the principles of fairness and meritocracy. understanding the impact on different stakeholders is crucial. for universities, legacy preference can strengthen alumni networks, lead to increased donations, and foster a sense of tradition. however, it may also result in criticism of biased admissions practices, damaging the university's reputation, and potentially reducing diversity on campus. for students, the impact of legacy preference is multifaceted. legacy applicants may benefit from a small advantage during the admissions process, resulting in increased acceptance rates. conversely, non legacy applicants may feel disadvantaged and overlooked, leading to potential disillusionment with the admissions process and their chosen institution. the debate surrounding legacy preference is complex and multifaceted, with valid arguments on both sides. while some universities have opted to discard legacy preference, others continue to defend it, often citing its positive impact on alumni engagement and university finances. ultimately, finding a compromise that addresses the concerns raised by critics of legacy preference while acknowledging its potential benefits is a challenge. universities must explore alternative methods of fostering alumni engagement, such as mentorship programs or exclusive networking opportunities, that can maintain a strong sense of tradition and create a more level playing field for all applicants. as higher education institutions strive to shape future generations of professionals, it is crucial to continuously evaluate and adapt admissions policies to ensure fairness, diversity, and meritocracy within the academic landscape. in conclusion, legacy preference in higher education remains a subject of debate, with strong arguments on both sides. universities must carefully analyze the impact of legacy preference on students and their institutions, considering the ideals of fairness, diversity, and meritocracy. by fostering alternative methods of alumni engagement and evaluating admissions policies, universities can navigate the complexities surrounding legacy preference while maintaining the essence and traditions of their institutions. legacy admissions have a long history, dating back to the early days of higher education in the united states. ivy league institutions, such as harvard university and yale university, are often associated with legacy admissions. these prestigious universities have embraced the practice for decades, alongside many other top tier colleges and universities. the idea behind legacy admissions lies in the belief that a family's connection to an institution represents a long standing commitment and support for that institution. by giving preferential treatment to legacies, colleges aim to foster a sense of tradition and loyalty within their community. while legacy admissions have their supporters, critics argue that it can perpetuate inequality and hinder the principles of meritocracy. let's take a closer look at some of the benefits and criticisms: the impact of legacy status on college admissions cannot be ignored. according to a study conducted by the jack kent cooke foundation, legacy applicants are admitted at higher rates compared to non legacy applicants. the study found that legacy status can increase an applicant's chances of acceptance by 45%. this statistic sheds light on the significant influence that legacy status holds within the admissions process. furthermore, legacy students often benefit from increased financial aid support and scholarships, making higher education more accessible for them. this, however, raises concerns about equality and whether students without legacy connections are at a disadvantage when seeking admission or financial aid. as society continues to evolve, so do the views on legacy admissions. some institutions have taken steps to reduce the weight given to legacy status, emphasizing a more holistic approach to admissions that focuses on individual achievements and qualities. nevertheless, legacy admissions remain prevalent in many colleges and universities worldwide. institutions argue that legacy students often embody the values and traditions of the institution, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among graduates and their descendants. however, critics claim that this practice perpetuates inequality, hindering the diversification of student bodies and limiting opportunities for other deserving applicants. in conclusion, legacy status in college admissions is a complex and contentious issue. while it has its advantages in fostering tradition and support for institutions, it also raises concerns about fairness and equality. as the higher education landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to strike a balance between honoring tradition and ensuring equal opportunities for all deserving applicants. while legacy admissions have long been a controversial practice, its impact on college acceptance rates is worth investigating. so, let's dive in! legacy admissions play a significant role in college admissions processes worldwide. proponents argue that embracing legacies fosters a sense of tradition and loyalty within the institution. however, critics contend that it perpetuates social and economic inequalities by providing an unfair advantage to affluent families. to analyze the situation accurately, let's explore the key arguments from both sides. now that we have explored the arguments surrounding legacy admissions, it's time to analyze the influence on acceptance rates. the impact can vary based on the institution and its specific policies. however, let's look at some industry statistics to gain a better understanding of the overall picture. according to a study conducted by the jack kent cooke foundation, legacy status proved to be a significant advantage in college admissions. the report found that legacy applicants were five times more likely to gain acceptance compared to non legacy applicants. this eye opening statistic raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the admissions process. another study conducted by the harvard crimson revealed the influence of legacy status at ivy league institutions. the report found that legacy students constituted approximately 30% of admitted students, even though they made up only 14% of applicants. these statistics illustrate the significant impact legacy status can have on acceptance rates. after examining the influence of legacy status on college acceptance rates, it is clear that this practice is not without controversy. here are some key takeaways to consider: in conclusion, legacy status undoubtedly plays a pivotal role in college acceptance rates. while it fosters tradition and engagement among alumni, it also raises concerns about fairness and diversity. as the higher education landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to reflect on these practices and strive for admissions processes that are transparent, equitable, and merit based. legacy admissions in colleges refer to the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants who have a family history with the institution. if a student's parents, grandparents, or siblings attended the same college, they may be considered a legacy applicant. although many colleges and universities claim to consider legacy status as just one of several factors in their admission decisions, there are positive and negative aspects associated with these applicants' status. legacy applicants enjoy certain advantages throughout the college admissions process. here are some key benefits: however, being a legacy applicant isn't always a walk in the park. here are some challenges faced by these applicants: as we conclude our exploration of legacy applicants in the college admissions process, it is essential to understand that while legacy status can provide certain advantages, it also presents challenges along the way. colleges must strike a balance between recognizing the potential benefits of legacy applicants and promoting meritocracy. giving legacy applicants a slight advantage can acknowledge the importance of alumni connections and encourage continued donations, but it should not overshadow qualifications and diversity. for legacy applicants themselves, it is crucial to be aware of both the advantages and challenges. embracing their familial connections while also striving for individual achievements can help them navigate the college admissions process more effectively. remember, each college's admissions process is unique, and while legacy status may carry weight in some institutions, it may hold less significance in others. ultimately, the college admissions process is a complex interplay of various factors that colleges evaluate holistically. stay tuned to our blog as we continue exploring fascinating topics in the world of education and college admissions. until next time! omg i can't believe legacy status actually helps get into college. it's so unfair to everyone else who works hard. my mom went to this college, does that mean i have a better chance of getting in? seems kinda weird to me. legacy status is just another way for wealthy families to ensure their kids get ahead. it's messed up, man. wait, so does legacy status actually significantly increase your chances of getting accepted? that's crazy. i never even knew what legacy status was until recently. i feel like it should be more transparent. it sucks that some people get a leg up just because their parents went to the same college. it's not fair to the rest of us. legacy students have a built in advantage that others don't have. it just doesn't seem right. do you think colleges should stop considering legacy status in admissions decisions? i think they should, it's not fair. legacy status can create a cycle of privilege that's hard to break. it puts others at a disadvantage. colleges should focus on admitting students based on their own merits, not on who their parents are. it's just common sense. isn't it crazy how much of a difference legacy status can make in college admissions? it's mind boggling. my dad keeps telling me to put down his alma mater on my applications to improve my chances. should i do it? legacy students shouldn't get special treatment just because of who their parents are. it's not right. legacy status is just another way to reinforce privilege and keep certain groups at the top. it's messed up. how do you feel about legacy status benefiting some students while putting others at a disadvantage? it's a tough issue. college admissions should be based on merit alone, not on who your parents are. it's the only fair way. legacy status can create an unfair advantage that's hard to overcome for students without connections. do you think colleges should disclose how much weight they give to legacy status in admissions decisions? i think they should. legacy students often have more resources and support than others, which can give them an unfair advantage. it's frustrating to see legacy status play such a big role in college admissions. it feels like the system is rigged. legacy students should have to meet the same admissions requirements as everyone else. it's only fair. yo, i heard legacy students have an advantage in college admissions. is that true? yeah, legacy status can definitely give you a leg up in the admissions process. just because your parents went to a school doesn't guarantee you a spot, but it can help. do you think it's fair that legacy students get preferential treatment? i mean, it's a complicated issue. it's not exactly fair, but it's also not completely unfair either. personally, i think everyone should have an equal shot at getting into college. legacy students often have connections and support that other students may not have. it can be frustrating for non legacy students who have worked just as hard to get into a school. yeah, it can definitely feel like the system is stacked against you sometimes. have any of you experienced discrimination based on your legacy status? i haven't personally, but i've heard stories of it happening to others. it's definitely a sensitive topic that needs to be addressed in the college admissions process. legacy status can be a touchy subject, but it's important to have an open dialogue about it. i think colleges need to reevaluate how they factor in legacy status during admissions. it's not as simple as just saying it's unfair. there are a lot of factors at play. do you think legacy status will continue to play a role in college admissions in the future? it's hard to say for sure, but i think there will be pressure to level the playing field for all applicants. colleges may start moving away from legacy preferences to create a more equitable admissions process. legacy status is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to college admissions. it's important to consider the impact it has on diversity and access to higher education. yo, legacy status is a real game changer when it comes to college admissions. it's all about that family connection and the perks that come with it. legacy status doesn't automatically guarantee acceptance into a school, but it definitely gives you a leg up in the admissions process. sometimes, colleges are more likely to accept legacy students because they know their families have a history of supporting the school. i've seen cases where legacy status can make or break an application. it's like having an in with the school because your parents or siblings went there. legacy status can also have an impact on financial aid. some schools offer scholarships specifically for legacy students, which can really help with the cost of tuition. but yo, don't rely solely on legacy status to get into a school. you still gotta put in the work and show them why you deserve to be admitted. in terms of the admissions process, legacy status is just one piece of the puzzle. admissions officers look at a variety of factors, like grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays. if you're a legacy student, make sure to highlight that in your application. talk about your family's connection to the school and how it has influenced your desire to attend. some might argue that legacy admissions are unfair because they give an advantage to students based on family ties rather than merit. what do you think about that? i personally believe that legacy admissions can be unfair because they can perpetuate inequality in the college admissions process. students who come from wealthy families with a history of attending a particular school already have an advantage over others. do you think colleges should consider legacy status when making admissions decisions, or should it be purely based on merit? it's a tough question. on one hand, legacy status can be a way to foster a sense of community and tradition at a school. on the other hand, it can put other students at a disadvantage. i think colleges should strike a balance between considering legacy status and merit. legacy status can definitely impact your chances of getting into a school, but it's not the only factor that admissions officers consider. show them why you're a good fit for the school and how you'll contribute to the campus community. related articles dive into our selected range of articles and case studies, emphasizing our dedication to fostering inclusivity within software development. crafted by seasoned professionals, each publication explores groundbreaking approaches and innovations in creating more accessible software solutions. perfect for both industry veterans and those passionate about making a difference through technology, our collection provides essential insights and knowledge. embark with us on a mission to shape a more inclusive future in the realm of software development. discover how cloud based tools can transform technical writing collaboration, enhancing efficiency and teamwork for better results. discover essential strategies for building effective networks in technical writing to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing, and career opportunities. discover essential metrics for effective document design in this comprehensive guide tailored for technical writers. you will enjoy it when it comes to building a successful software project, having the right team of developers is crucial. laravel is a popular php framework known for its elegant syntax and powerful features. if you're looking to hire remote laravel developers for your project, there are a few key steps you should follow to ensure you find the best talent for the job. as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, businesses are faced with the challenge of navigating the complex tech landscape to ensure they stay competitive and innovative. one key aspect of this is choosing the right software development services to help create custom solutions that meet specific business needs. in today's fast paced tech industry, companies are constantly under pressure to deliver cutting edge solutions quickly and 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sign up for the washington monthly newsletter! get the washington monthly newsletter in your inbox twice weekly for free, plus a roundup of our best policy analysis every saturday email (required) * washington monthly ah, legacy preferences. so easy to get annoyed about, so hard to defeat. a common defense of legacy preferences, the extra weight given by colleges to applicants with relatives who are alumni, is that they don’t really matter that much. if a candidate has a relative who attended the school that adds, what, two points to his application? well, maybe it matters a little bit more than we thought. according to an article by tamar lewin in the new york times: get the washington monthly newsletter in your inbox twice weekly for free, plus a roundup of our best policy analysis every saturday email (required) * according to the study, by michael hurwitz, a doctoral student at the harvard graduate school of education, applicants to a parent’s alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants. those whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt who attended the college were, by comparison, only twice as likely to be admitted. the hurwitz study looked at admissions policies at 30 highly selective, anonymous (but, come on) american institutions of higher learning. some observers report shock and dismay. richard kahlenberg of the century foundation said, “it’s fundamentally unfair because it’s a preference that advantages the already advantaged.” still, it’s not clear that anyone is actually materially or educationally hurt by legacy preferences, even if it turns out these preferences matter a lot. the united states is one of the few places in the world where we expect parents to pay the majority of the cost for their children to attend college. given this, it seems entirely appropriate for the family to matter in the admissions decisions. daniel luzer is the news editor at governing magazine and former web editor of the washington monthly. find him on twitter: @daniel_luzer at this moment of deep political division, bold ideas to preserve american democracy are more important than ever. the washington monthly is an independent voice, listened to by insiders and willing to take on sacred cows liberal and conservative. and we need your support. help us your contribution is vital, tax deductible, and much appreciated! get the washington monthly newsletter in your inbox twice weekly for free, plus a roundup of our best policy analysis every saturday email (required) *

<p>the times has an article on yet another study that shows that legacies (i.e. applicants whose parents attended the college to which they are applying) are more likely to get in than other students: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/09legacies.html%5b/url%5d"&gt;http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/education/09legacies.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p> <p>the researcher conducting the study tried to isolate the importance of legacy status, by examining students who had applied to more than one selective institution (one of which he had a legacy at), the theory being that since the exact same student with the exact same statistics was applying to both schools, the only difference between his admissions chances should be the legacy status. the researcher told the times:</p> <p>"i was able to take into account all the applicants characteristics, mr. hurwitz said, because they were the same at every school they applied to. about the only thing that would be different was their legacy status.</p> <p>of course, that's simply not true. the legacy status is not the only thing that would be different, because each of the schools would have a different applicant pool and different criteria. unfortunately, it's impossible to truly do cross comparisons of each school's individual holistic admissions process. </p> <p>still, it was a valiant attempt and it yielded significant results. according to the times:</p> <p>"applicants to a parents alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants. those whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, uncle or aunt who attended the college were, by comparison, only twice as likely to be admitted."</p> <p>it's not just legacies who get have a higher chance of admission, of course:</p> <p>we did a paper that found that if you are an athlete, you have 4.2 times the likelihood of admission as a nonathlete, he said. the advantages for underrepresented minorities are pretty big, too.</p> <p>and it's not necessarily undeserved:</p> <p>on average, mr. hurwitzs study found, legacy applicants had slightly higher sat scores than others. education researchers point out that students whose parents attended elite colleges are also more likely to have advantages like family wealth and private school education.</p> <p>most interestingly, though, was that the magnitude of the legacy preference varied greatly among the different elite schools in the study:</p> <p>"among the 30 colleges, the legacy advantage varied enormously: one college was more than 15 times as likely to accept legacy applicants, while at another, the effect was insignificant.</p> <p>as a condition of access to the data, mr. hurwitz said, he agreed not to identify the colleges.</p> <p>given a table showing characteristics like high endowments and sat scores and low acceptance rates, it seemed apparent that they are the members of the consortium on financing higher education, a group made up of the ivy leagues and two dozen other private research universities and liberal arts colleges."</p> <p>so it's a somewhat flawed study telling us what we already know, but at least it gives the times something to write about!</p> powered by discourse, best viewed with javascript enabled

by shoellis by: emma serrano, ethics and policy intern following the supreme court’s landmark decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions via the students for fair admissions v. harvard and sffa v. unc rulings, some have called for a reassessment of legacy admissions because the policy is similarly unmeritocratic.[1] at present, nearly 50% of four year colleges and 80% of highly selective colleges still use legacy admissions.[2] however, these policies have not gone uncontested. when uc berkeley, ucla, texas a&m, and the university of georgia ended race conscious admissions, they also ended legacy preference. at the federal level, the u.s. department of education recently launched a civil rights investigation into harvard’s legacy admissions practice.[3] state legislatures are also making their presence heard. virginia governor glenn youngkin signed a law banning legacy admissions in its state institutions, and connecticut and new york are likely to follow. however, some colleges, notably private and elite institutions, seem wary of making the leap. with legacy admissions making a bid for the next higher education admissions crisis, let’s look at what they are and the ethics surrounding how colleges handle them. “legacy admissions” refers to the practice of allocating special preference or consideration for the relatives of alumni during college admissions. the practice originated in the early 1920s when ivy league colleges implemented it as one of many strategies to limit the number of jewish immigrants admitted to historically protestant institutions.[4] while modern day legacy policies are not intentionally designed to exclude based on racial, ethnic, or religious identity, legacy admissions slow populational demographic change in student bodies by causing “the composition of enrollment at a college to change less quickly than the composition of otherwise qualified applicants.”[5] let’s explore what this means in practice. take john doe, a high school senior enrolling in harvard university in the fall. both of john’s parents attended harvard, and john is thrilled to join the average 15 to 30% of harvard’s incoming class that reports legacy status.[6] sure, i’m happy for john, but i can’t help but wonder whether john’s advantage was fair. did john earn his way into harvard based on his aptitude? or was he unfairly admitted because of his parent’s legacy status? we will never know for sure, but john casey, founder and president of educational advocates college consulting, explains that legacy candidates must be “somewhat in the ballpark” of an institution’s gpa, standardized test scores, and extracurricular distributions to be admitted.[7] therefore, reporting legacy status does not guarantee admission but instead operates as an additional boost to a student’s application. this extra boost promotes systemic inequity because the issue is also intimately tied to entrenched racial disparities in the united states. first generation students are automatically left behind by legacy practices, many of whom are racial or ethnic minorities. according to a legal complaint issued against harvard, nearly 70% of all legacy admits are white   a group that is almost six times more likely to gain admission.[8] applicants whose relatives are donors (also a majority white demographic) are seven times more likely to gain admission. wealthy, majority white students already experience several additional advantages, including access to private admissions counselors, expensive summer programs, and networking benefits. combined with legacy status, these benefits are likely to result in what some critics contend creates too much of a cumulative advantage. especially when considering that approximately 15 30% of top institutions are made up of legacy candidates, some assert that the college admissions process should be blind to family heritage. on a base level, the argument against legacy admissions is intuitive. even if they do not guarantee admission, legacy preferences are definitively unmeritocratic and statistically disadvantage minority and first generation students. legacy preference is also largely unpopular; a 2022 pew research center study found that 75% of americans don’t believe colleges should consider legacy status.[5] what’s holding colleges back? the simple answer is that colleges claim they financially benefit, citing increases in alumni donations as a result of legacy admissions. the research here is mixed. one case study examined an unnamed, private, elite college in the northeast and found that after graduation, legacies and their parents donate more than non legacies.[9] another analysis reveals that the mere possibility of increasing chances of admission for their child motivates alumni parents to donate to their alma mater.[10] in this way, legacy preference policies create a perception of reciprocity that motivates alumni to donate on behalf of their children, a dynamic that could not exist without legacy preference. by contrast, another study finds no statistically significant evidence that legacy preferences impact total alumni giving among top universities.[11] however, this study did not control for wealth, and a subsequent analysis found that considering familial wealth of alumni as a factor explains 70% of the variation in alumni giving. this finding begs the question of whether wealth, rather than legacy status, drives higher donation rates. wealth and legacy status may go hand in hand as legacy students are more likely to come from a wealthy home, afford tuition, require less financial aid, and make more frequent donations.[12] in an age when most colleges have pledged their commitment to need blind admissions, these results raise the separate (but related) question of whether elite schools discriminate based on socioeconomic status. more research is needed to tease out the exact impact of legacy preference on alumni donations, independent of wealth, race, ethnicity, and other factors. however, what remains evident is that when confronted with the prospect of eliminating legacy preference, colleges are wary of the shift and anticipate losing out on funding. we’ve analyzed the context surrounding the legacy admissions debate. what do classical ethical philosophies say on the topic? two perspectives, deontology and utilitarianism, shed light on the ethical implications of legacy preference. deontology is a term first coined by philosopher immanuel kant. kant conceived of ethics as referring to universal moral obligations.[13] deontologists see humans as having equal value and claims to autonomy, dignity, and respect. the deontological perspective evaluates policy by its nature, whether it is inherently right or wrong, not by its consequences. by contrast, utilitarianism conceives of outcomes as the ultimate ethical determinant.[14] also known as consequentialism, utilitarianism justifies policy based on whether it cultivates the greatest welfare for the most people. to evaluate how deontology and utilitarianism might view legacy admissions, let’s go back to our good friend john doe, the high school senior with a legacy preference who was recently accepted into harvard university. the deontologist might worry about john’s admission because his legacy status gives him an unfair advantage over non legacy students. violating the general principle that humans have equal intrinsic value, the “boost” conferred by legacy preference leads to unequal treatment of students by john’s university’s admissions council. a deontologist might also argue that legacy preference undermines autonomy. if john’s admissions outcome is determined, at least in part, by his parents’ alumni status, it diminishes john’s ability, and that of non legacy applicants, to let their accomplishments and ambitions shape their future. regardless of whether john would have been accepted without his legacy status, the deontologist would advocate for removing legacy consideration during the admissions cycle. conversely, the utilitarian perspective focuses solely on the societal outcomes of john’s admission. let’s say john became a world renowned scientist and created a life saving vaccine upon graduating from harvard. because john’s education leads to significant contributions to society, utilitarianism would justify his admission despite the initial unfair advantage provided by legacy preference. however, if john fails to make substantial contributions, utilitarianism might question his admission based on its unsatisfactory outcome. it’s clear that deontology will consistently reject legacy admissions because they provide an unmeritocratic advantage to certain students over others. by contrast, we’ve observed that utilitarianism can take contradictory positions despite its singular emphasis on outcomes, hinging on whether it anticipates a positive or negative result. let’s see more about this dynamic by taking john out of the equation and looking at legacy admissions more generally. utilitarianism’s outcome centric stance is riddled with tradeoffs. on the one hand, utilitarianism might support legacy admissions because it increases alumni funding to institutions, therefore strengthening the overall welfare of higher education and enhancing its contribution to society. on the other hand, utilitarianism also confronts the reality that legacy preference exacerbates financial and racial disparities by favoring those who are already privileged, thus creating more unequal and unjust outcomes. one potential solution highlights the possibility of redirecting legacy funds towards scholarships or programs aimed at minority and low income students in an effort to mitigate existing disparities. however, we saw above that conclusions surrounding the relationship between legacy preference and alumni donations were unclear. how much revenue do legacy admissions actually generate, and what fraction can we expect to be allocated to minority programs? these tradeoffs raise what i’d call the enough question. is the chance for increased donations directed at marginalized communities enough to justify maintaining a practice that simultaneously roots them out from college admissions? thinking back on deontology’s perspective, are the potential societal benefits of legacy preference enough to override the reality that legacy preference systematically treats students unequally? now, i trust my readers to evaluate the tradeoffs and come to their own conclusions on the enough question. but i’d argue that legacy admissions constitute a gamble that higher education should not bet on. since research establishing a concrete relationship between legacy preference and university fundraising is lukewarm at best, the potential for increased revenue does not justify the legacy “pay to play” privilege when unequal and unjust outcomes are arguably more persistent and clearly evidenced. it’s time for higher education to reassess their admissions practices and recognize that legacy preference is a risky bet   one that threatens fairness, integrity, and merit based admissions. the conversation surrounding legacy admissions is just heating up. at present, 53% of selective four year colleges and 80% of highly selective colleges still consider legacy preference.[15] admissions boards and state legislatures alike have defended and questioned the policy, and it remains unclear what the path forward will be. however, the tradeoffs highlighted by the deontological and utilitarian lenses may offer a valuable perspective. echoing ongoing discussions in higher education circles and centering principles of fairness and equity, higher education would do well to heed them. university policy office 123 w. franklin street, suite 600b campus box #4110 chapel hill, nc 27599 policy@unc.edu more contact information © 2025 university of north carolina at chapel hill

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january 10, 2011 a new study of 30 highly selective colleges conducted by a harvard university researcher found that legacy applicants  students who have a family connection at a school  have a significant advantage in admission. the study, led by michael hurwitz, a doctoral student at the harvard graduate school of education, revealed that applicants to a parent's alma mater had, on average, seven times the odds of admission of nonlegacy applicants, the new york times reported. by comparison, students whose parents did graduate work there or who had a grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle who attended the school were only twice as likely to be admitted. "it's fundamentally unfair because it's a preference that advantages the already advantaged," said richard d. kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the century foundation, a nonprofit research organization. "it has nothing to do with the individual merit of the applicant." according to the chronicle of higher education, legacy applicants, all other things being equal, had a 23.3 percentage point increase in their probability of admission compared to nonlegacy applicants. primary legacies, applicants with a parent who attended the college as an undergraduate, had a staggering 45.1 percentage point advantage. in other words, if a nonlegacy applicant faced a 15 percent chance of admission, a primary legacy applicant with identical credentials would have a 60 percent chance of getting in. hurwitz says legacy or nonlegacy status matters a lot to individual applicants; however, because applicant pools are so large, legacy admits do not greatly decrease the chance that other students will get into the college of their choice. of more than 290,000 applications he examined, only about 6 percent had legacy status. in addition, hurwitz discovered that legacy students, on average, had slightly higher sat scores than nonlegacy students. dean of undergraduate admission at stanford university richard shaw, on the other hand, emphasizes that legacy status does not guarantee that an applicant will be admitted to an elite school, the stanford daily noted. "the reality of this is that the majority of students that are legacies do not get in," shaw said. but legacy students are very strong candidates, he said. "in looking at our quantitative measures, our legacy enrollees or admits tend to be stronger than the median of the admitted class," shaw said. "it shatters another perception that unqualified or less qualified students are getting into stanford because they are sons or daughters of parents who have come before them." compiled by alexander gong sources: "at elite colleges, legacy status may count more than was previously thought," chronicle.com, january 5, 2011, elyse ashburn "new study finds that legacy status is a strong advantage at elite universities," stanforddaily.com, january 10, 2011, an le nguyen "study finds family connections give big advantage in college admissions," nytimes.com, january 8, 2011, tamar lewin citytowninfo writers and editors these lists link to thousands of detailed school profiles.

 illustration by evelyn hsy see the dissenting opinion by kira jones here. in 2019, a federal investigation known as “operation varsity blues” exposed massive fraud and bribery in college admissions. the shockwaves of the investigation rippled through american high schools.