Am I a Legacy

cosar
Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:25:19 +0000

This comes up every year, and the answer is quite simple. Harvard makes clear that it defines legacy only as the son/daughter of an alum of the College. Parents who went to grad school at Harvard (e.g., HBS) do not make you a legacy. Here’s the faq from the admissions website:

[Harvard College Admissions Office: frequently asked questions](http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/faq/admissions/app_pols/index.html)

Q: Are a student’s chances of admission enhanced if a relative has attended Harvard?

A: The application process is the same for all candidates. Among a group of similarly distinguished applicants, the daughters and sons of College alumni/ae may receive an additional look.

I’ve heard the dean of admissions talk on this subject - he personally reviews all legacy applications (legacy defined narrowly as above), and it is a “tip” factor, but the legacy applicants who are admitted are very impressive in their own right. More than two-thirds of legacy applicants are rejected.