wasslion

I am a legacy, but my father is not really a good alumni. We have never given money or anything like that. I understand the legacy admission rate is about 30%, but the applicants are also stronger applicants. If my applicant is slightly below average, but I am a legacy, will it give me any chance?

randombetch

The applicants aren't that much stronger, so hell yeah it'll boost your chances.

Frostyeel

It doesn't matter if your parent hasn't donated at all. You will still get the same boost to your chance. If your application really is below average (out of the entire applicant pool) then you probably still don't have a chance, but you might be defining "below average" a different way.

wasslion

By below average I mean test scores in the 25-30ish percentage range, extracurriculars that are great but not "wow", and I will only have four AP classes. I am pretty much the most qualified out of my high school, but even then, the national comparison still matters.

tigerton

You're probably fine. I'm a legacy, too. I've done research, and it appears that just being one is enough. You don't need to have donated money or anything.

randombetch

That is pretty... below average. You're right :/

Lol? What about the other 70% of the legacy kids who apply?

tigerton

By 25% I mean of the people accepted into Princeton, lol.

randombetch

When did you say 25%?

tigerton

Sorry, what I mean is I think wasslion meant 25-30ish of those applying.

bluecheerio

I have a question about legacy - does being the great-great-great-great-great-great-granddaughter of a man who graduated in 1748, was a trustee, persuaded John Witherspoon to become Princeton's president during the Revolution, and signed the Declaration of Independence count for anything? I have another relative who graduated in 1779 and another in 1796 (first in his class).

Could this help me get in at all?

fresh101

^It's a shame great men like that die.

budda

prolly not, but that would make one hell of a "Princeton in the nation's service" essay.