mallika7122

Okay I have a burning question about legacy.
So I go to a very competitive high school And currently it looks like there might be 2 or 3 of us applying to Princeton next year. I think I am most deintiely the highest qualified, but there is one problem. One of the other kids is a legacy. I mean grandfather, dad, mother, and sister. Basically the whole deal. He is no where as qualified as the other student and myself. Lower SATs, much less rigorous course load, weak extra curriculars, only like two APs.
Will Princeton seriously look at our two applications and just give him the entry and flat out deny someone so much more qualified? I just don't understand. Like there isn't even a question about his lack of qualifications.

and going off this question, how much do school quotas matter? I'm getting nervous, because I am attending a competitive high school and thus there are quite a few academically strong kids. I think that I might have had a better chance getting in if I was with another group of kids....

ugh, it sucks how things that are not in your control can hold you back from getting into a college. its crazy how much the environment, where you live, and your school can alter your admissions.

sherpa

Less than competitive legacies aren't faring too well these days. As far as high school quotas, schools deny they exist, but I'm not so sure.

Loki5

Legacy didn't appear to be much of a factor this year, but then, neither did top academics. Our hs, a very competitive private school had no one admitted to Princeton for the first time in recorded memory. Our 5 top ranked students were turned down, and our d, a legacy, with scores, grades, and ecs which would have virtually insured admission in the past was waitlisted. Nothing is predictable in this process, so don't worry about it, and keep your options open!

ceebee63

Possibly. There were about 17 kids who applied from my school this year. 5 got in. Both legacies got in. It really, really depends on the school and the students. URM legacies and legacies with good stats and unique ECs (i.e. not the typical Model UN, Student Newspaper, Debate Club, National Honor Society, etc.) have been doing well this year.

ceebee63

(I didn't read the rest of your post saying how unqualified he is. If he's unqualified, he won't get in, end of story. Unless his last name is Frist or Whitman, and even so, I hear Bryan Frist is a really nice guy.)

Loki5

Ceebee---our c had great stats, and great ecs. I think its fairly unusual for 5 from the same school to get in, so you must be from an unusual school---possible New York? I bet the experience is not universal. As I said on the other post on this topic---I think I am right on this one....