Legacy admissions is quite a controversial topic surrounded by myths and, oftentimes, with huge expectations. Legacy status has historically been one of several “hooks” that admissions offices consider, alongside factors like athletic recruitment, development prospects (major donors), and geographic diversity.
However, while legacy status can provide an advantage at some schools, its impact varies significantly by institution. And now some colleges are eliminating legacy preferences entirely.
How does legacy actually work? What are its limitations? Keep on reading to build a smart application strategy.
Legacy Admissions Explained
Legacy admissions refers to the practice where colleges give preferential consideration to applicants whose parents or close family members attended the same institution as undergraduates. This has been a longstanding tradition at many American colleges and universities, particularly at selective private institutions.
According to veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger, “Legacy is if the parent went to the undergraduate school of that college. The legacy that helps the most is if the parent attended the same undergraduate program—that’s considered the more favorable legacy.”
It’s important to note that graduate school attendance typically carries less weight than undergraduate attendance. A parent who attended law school or business school at an institution may not provide the same legacy advantage as one who completed their undergraduate degree there.
Why Legacy Admissions Are Controversial
Legacy admissions generate significant controversy, primarily around questions of fairness and access to educational opportunity.
As Jamie explains the criticism: “You’re giving favored treatment to someone who might not necessarily deserve it more than someone else.”
Critics argue that legacy preferences perpetuate socioeconomic inequality. Since alumni of selective institutions tend to be wealthier and more advantaged than the general population, legacy preferences effectively give additional advantages to already-advantaged families. These preferences also often correlate with racial homogeneity in alumni populations, and critics point out that legacy slots effectively reduce spots available to first-generation college students.
Supporters of legacy preferences counter that they strengthen alumni communities, encourage donations that fund financial aid for other students, and help maintain institutional culture and traditions across generations. Some argue that eliminating legacy preferences would primarily benefit other well-resourced applicants rather than expanding access for underrepresented students.
The debate has intensified following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-conscious admissions, with lawmakers and advocacy groups questioning whether legacy preferences should face similar legal scrutiny. Some states have begun considering legislation to ban legacy preferences at public universities, and private institutions face growing pressure to justify or discontinue the practice.
How Much Does Legacy Status Actually Help in College Admissions?
Families should be careful not to overestimate their power. Jamie confirms that: “You have to research it school by school. It’s on a school-by-school basis how much it matters.”
Legacy status cannot overcome fundamental weaknesses in an application. At some highly selective schools, legacy applicants may see acceptance rates 2-3 times higher than non-legacy applicants, while other institutions claim legacy plays no role in their decisions whatsoever. The most elite schools receive so many qualified applicants that legacy alone cannot compensate for a mismatch between a student’s profile and a program’s requirements.
For families with legacy connections, the key takeaway is to treat it as one factor among many, NOT as a guarantee of admission.
Learn more strategies for maximizing your chances in our comprehensive guide to top-tier college application tips.
Are Colleges Eliminating Legacy Admissions Preferences?
Yes, some colleges are phasing out legacy preferences, though the trend is gradual and varies by institution type.
Jamie notes the shifting landscape: “Some of them are dropping legacy slowly. There are a lot of arguments that it’s unfair.”
Several prominent institutions have publicly ended legacy considerations, including MIT, Johns Hopkins, and Amherst College. Following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions, there has been increased scrutiny and political pressure on legacy policies as well. Some observers view legacy preferences as the next frontier in admissions reform, particularly given concerns about equity and access.
However, many selective institutions continue to consider legacy status, often citing the important role alumni engagement plays in fundraising, institutional support, and building community across generations. The landscape is evolving, so families should research each school’s current policy rather than assuming legacy will automatically help or hurt their chances.
Does Legacy Status Help More If You Apply Early Decision?
The relationship between legacy status and Early Decision timing is more nuanced than many families realize.
While ED applicants generally see higher acceptance rates (partly due to the binding commitment demonstrating strong interest), legacy status may not always provide the boost families expect in the early round. A member of the Great College Advice Facebook community (a parent who is an alum of a T10 school) shared this observation:
“It seems like all the legacies I know got waitlisted or deferred ED/REA because the universities accepted a ton of institutional priorities other than legacy—like low-income, first-gen—per the data the school puts out. Then the legacy kids I know got in during RD or off the waitlist late.”
This suggests that at some highly selective schools, legacy applicants may actually fare better in Regular Decision when the applicant pool is evaluated more holistically, and there’s more flexibility in how institutional priorities are balanced.
Families should also consider Jamie’s guidance about Early Decision more broadly: ED “favors families who can pay the full cost.” He recommends that families use each school’s Net Price Calculator before committing to an ED application, ensuring they can afford the outcome before making a binding commitment.
Does Being a Major Donor Help More Than Being a Legacy?
Major donor status, sometimes called “development cases”, typically carries more weight than legacy status alone, though even this advantage has limits.
Jamie puts it bluntly: “If you’re a legacy who is prepared to put their name on a building, that helps. But I have heard in recent years of kids with family names on buildings who have not been getting in. So even that legacy doesn’t have the power it once did at some schools.”
This reflects broader changes in how selective schools weigh institutional priorities against academic and personal qualifications. As applicant pools have grown more competitive and public scrutiny of admissions practices has intensified, even significant donor relationships cannot automatically overcome other factors in a student’s profile.
For most families, the strategic focus should be on factors within their control—academic achievement, authentic extracurricular involvement, compelling essays, and thoughtful school fit—rather than assuming family connections or financial contributions will determine outcomes.
How Should Legacy Families Strategize Their College Applications?
Legacy families should approach the application process strategically while maintaining realistic expectations about what their connection can and cannot do.
- Research each school’s current legacy policy. Review a college’s most recent Common Data Set to see whether legacy is considered as a factor in the admissions process. Don’t assume based on historical reputation—verify current policies.
- Don’t let legacy status drive poor-fit applications. Jamie emphasizes that “Fit is what we focus on. The kid who likes Ithaca, New York [Cornell], won’t like Morningside Heights in Manhattan [Columbia].” A legacy connection to a school that’s a poor match for your student’s personality, academic interests, or learning style is not worth pursuing at the expense of better-fit options.
- Avoid overreliance on legacy connections. The Stanford example illustrates how legacy status cannot overcome fundamental mismatches between a student’s profile and a program’s requirements. Your student still needs to be qualified and competitive for the programs they’re applying to.
- Consider how legacy intersects with other application decisions. This includes ED timing, financial aid needs, and overall list balance. A legacy school might make sense as an ED choice for some families, but for others, Regular Decision may actually be more advantageous.
- Focus on what you can control. Build a compelling academic record with appropriate rigor. Develop meaningful activities that demonstrate genuine interests rather than resume-padding. Craft authentic essays that reveal your student’s character. These factors matter far more than legacy status at every institution.
Do you need guidance on how legacy status might factor into your family’s specific situation? Consider working with an experienced college admissions counselor who can help you develop an effective strategy. Schedule a free consultation today.
