Does legacy matter much? Forum

[arkansas 2011]

After a quick search of forums for "legacy" I found a few threads that were populated mostly with sarcastic answers.

I know that there isn't much, if any, published stats on how legacy effects admissions, but are there any anecdotal (and helpful) comments out there that confirm/deny any effect?

Specifically I am asking about Wisconsin (which does ask about legacy in the application, so it does matter SOME, but the question is, how much?). Both my father and grandfather graduated from the law school.

Can I hold out any hope that this could help me considering that I'm a little below average for that school and not an URM?

[3ThrowAway99]

You might want to ask the school. I think it def can play a role in admissions, prob in a similar way that expressing sincere and strong interest in a given school could make you a more attractive candidate than someone with the same numbers who comes across as not all that interested. Some schools actually have a box you can check for this, but I think most don't. I think numbers trumps all in almost all cases, but I would def try to find a way to communicate to the school that you are interested in going there at least in part for legacy reasons.

[bk1]

Almost every school asks about legacy, but that doesn't mean it matters at any of them.

Remember that it's numbers, numbers, numbers. You need to be above at least one median and being below both is the kiss of death. I advise you retake the LSAT if you really are below both medians.

[3ThrowAway99]

Almost every school asks about legacy, but that doesn't mean it matters at any of them.

Remember that it's numbers, numbers, numbers. You need to be above at least one median and being below both is the kiss of death. I advise you retake the LSAT if you really are below both medians.

I agree with the second part of this, but at least on the numerous apps I completed (13), and the many more I looked through (prob another 5 or more), I remember maybe a couple that actually asked about legacy. IDK, maybe I just didn't pay all that much attention and most of them asked it, but not that I recall. Even if they don't ask about it, I think it is something that could be worth slipping into the PS or maybe even an addendum, especially if it is a factor that really is making you want to go to a particular school.

[Curry]

Legacy is the softest of soft factors.

[deadpanic]

If you're the son of a supreme court justice, sure, it probably matters, or maybe if your dad or grandad has a couple buildings on campus named after him. But other than that, just like LORs, it probably doesn't matter.