Legacy Guilt

Applying to College
1

<p>I was reading an Affirmative Action thread, and several posters made comments along the lines of “Kids who get into schools because of legacy don’t feel guilty. So why should you feel guilty for getting in for being black?”</p>

<p>But, the thing is, this is NOT true. When my brother (incredibly intelligent, 4.0 GPA, got 2200s on his SATs, 35 on ACTs, talented writer, passionate about history and philosophy, eagle scout, etc.), got into the same Ivy league school my dad attended, he felt incredibly guilty. Even today, he always claims he only got in because of legacy and that he really didn’t deserve it. For the record, my father did not donate a building… Heck, he doesn’t even attend reunions.</p>

<p>Given the considerable advantage legacy status plays in admissions (I believe the admission rate was 30% or so, compared to 8/9%), do you feel guilty about getting in? How do you feel about legacy in general?</p>

<p>Personally, I think the considerably higher rate is partially due to the positive learning environment an alumni creates at home. But, obviously, that doesn’t account for all of it. It saddens me that my brother can’t recognize what an insightful and bright man he is, and doesn’t see how so many respect and think highly of him.</p>

2

<p>“I believe the admission rate was 30% or so, compared to 8/9%”</p>

<p>This is largely demographic. Ivy League alumni raise some pretty bright kids and educate/prep the hell out of them. The admit rate for legacies to Ivy A is elevated at Ivy B, too.</p>

3

<p>^This. My parents are Duke alumni, and their former classmates have sent kids off to great colleges at what probably amounts to a much higher rate than the actual acceptance rates of those colleges (awkwardly worded, but I hope the point is clear). On the other hand, plenty of them have kids who didn’t get into Duke. The legacy boost seems to be diminishing (though developmental admits–those whose parents have donated millions–still have an upper hand) across the board. Think about it: Even a 30% alumni acceptance rate isn’t too hot, given how strong the legacy pool tends to be.</p>