Hey guys,
I’m an African American with decent stats, and I was curious how legacy and URM status together was. I’m thinking that since legacies are generally privileged, while African Americans are generally disadvantaged, that admissions officers would most likely cancel the two factors out. What do you guys think?
@nomoreinterviews I would agree with your observation.
Colleges that consider either or both factors do not publicly state how they may affect admission decisions.
If you’re a high-stats URM, many top colleges are likely to be interested in you because you’re comparatively rare. If you also happen to be a Princeton legacy (and Princeton admits something like 30% of their legacy applicants, if I recall correctly), particularly if your alum parent is involved at the school (i.e., donates or volunteers a material amount), I would say your chances of being admitted to Princeton are very good assuming that the rest of your application is in line with what they like to see. Hooks are additive in that they provide multiple reasons for your application to jump out of the pile; they don’t cancel each other out.
What would be high stat? I’m hanging around a 3.86 UW, 4.4W, 1550 SAT right now
Those are high stats. Having double hooks will help, and I don’t think they will work against each other if you perhaps convey a sense of appreciation for your minority race and legacy (assuming wealthy or advantaged) background
I’d say it is doubly good. Colleges looking to boost URM enrollment aren’t necessarily focused on socio-economic diversity. The URM component boosts hard numbers that are in the CDS. So by admitting 1 student, they get both URM headcount and happy alum.
OP, ARE you a legacy? if so I agree with Deepblue88, as the combination of both is pretty rare.
If you REALLY want to increase your chances apply SCEA. A disproportionate % of acceptances are given to early applicants.
I am indeed a legacy. My father went to Princeton as in undergraduate. I am definitely applying to Princeton SCEA as well
I don’t think your two hooks will cancel each other out but, for the reason you postulate, I also think that you may get not get the full advantage of having two hooks. I see it more like one and a half hooks, rather than zero or two.
If you were also a recruited athlete your chances would be phenomenal.
More to the point, it’s not like that Princeton, or any other school in its tier, is employing a mathematical formula to make admissions decisions. File it under “it is what it is” and spend your time working on things on which you actually have control.
Hah, I wish I was a recruited athlete. I have a medical condition that prevented me from participating in athletics. Maybe in another life 
My co-worker is a black grad from Williams. The were after his son in a BIG way.
I think you have double hooks.
That’s really interesting. Williams college is another college I’m really interested in. I would apply early, but I can’t get myself to give up my legacy advantage at Princeton.
Apply where you are interested in attending (but make sure that you have an affordable safety that you like). If you have more than one admission offer, you can decide then where to attend.
One of my son’s friend is half Mexican and half black, his Dad studied in UPenn. His stats were similar to my son’s stats. He got in and my son did not get in. My son is a Asian Indian male, so there were no positive hooks. My son did feel bad but we are happy with what options we have.
No, the two together is a great combination! If you are admitted, then the college gets to report your admission in multiple categories: people of color/African American percentages and legacy percentage (the latter of which keeps alumni donating).
Try for Princeton SCEA, but do not count on being admitted, because even hooked applicants have a lot of competition; it is one of the best known colleges in the world! Do the usual range of reaches, matches and safeties.
Good luck!
You are getting in, no one can stop you unless you sabotage your own application. This is based on many many URM kids that I know whose parents attended Harvard and all of the URM kids were admitted too. 99% in. Just breathes easy and good luck. Your stats are great also.
would it be alright if you shared your son’s ECs with me? That’s the area I feel like I’m most likely going to get a knock for.
Do you have any recommendations for more reasonable reaches/targets with my stats?