T14 Legacy - Does it exist? Will it help my chances? Forum

[Mr. Frodo]

My sister is a student at UPenn (Chem Engineering), and is going into her third year. Being a Drexel student myself (Civil Engineering), and due to the fact that Penn and Drexel seem to have a good relationship with each other, are my chances of admission increased at all, solely due to the fact my sister is there?

[moonman157]

No

[Nova]

No

[sambeber]

No

[Aberzombie1892]

Your situation isn't even a real legacy situation to begin with.

[sambeber]

Your situation isn't even a real legacy situation to begin with.

But... they both majored in engineering, and they're both in Philadelphia. That should help, right? I mean, how many brother/sister Philadelphia-area engineers can there be?

Q.E.D.: Legacy.

[Mr. Frodo]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

[AntipodeanPhil]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

They do have that question. I assume it is to help them identity any candidates related to influential alumni or wealthy alumni donors. Has your sister donated a large amount of money to the school? Does she have much political influence?

[mr.hands]

Zero help. None.

[Mr. Frodo]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

They do have that question. I assume it is to help them identity any candidates related to influential alumni or wealthy alumni donors. Has your sister donated a large amount of money to the school? Does she have much political influence?

She just turned 20 . MLIA.

[fatduck]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

They do have that question. I assume it is to help them identity any candidates related to influential alumni or wealthy alumni donors. Has your sister donated a large amount of money to the school? Does she have much political influence?

She just turned 20 . MLIA.

ಠ_ಠ

[piccolittle]

You could use that kind of info in a 'why Penn' essay. It gives you a good reason to go to their school over others, which could help, I suppose, unless your numbers are totally wrong or you're already applying ED.

[Mr. Frodo]

She just turned 20 . MLIA.
ಠ_ಠ

Just kidding man, I kind of expected this response. Doesn't matter though!

@piccolittle

Good idea.

[bp shinners]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

I assume it is to help them identity any candidates related to influential alumni or wealthy alumni donors.

It also helps them see if you have any connections to the area. If you have family at Penn, you're more likely to consider attending there (or less likely, depending on your family).

[Mr. Frodo]

Lol, I know its not "true" legacy, but then why do most college applications ask if you have/had a family member that goes/went there?

Guess law school apps don't have this question?

I assume it is to help them identity any candidates related to influential alumni or wealthy alumni donors.

It also helps them see if you have any connections to the area. If you have family at Penn, you're more likely to consider attending there (or less likely, depending on your family).

I have a lot of connections to Philly. My hometown is 40 minutes away, my sister and I are both here, I've worked for a year and a half full time at two engineering firms here, etc. I guess I have some legit reasons for a Why Penn.

Should I say I will attend if admitted in my Why Penn? I've read about other people writing such bold statements in their Why X essays. I would attend if admitted though, I'm sure of it.

[TheThriller]

You're a legacy at Duke? Don't they have to give bids to legacies?

[fatduck]

I have a lot of connections to Philly. My hometown is 40 minutes away, my sister and I are both here, I've worked for a year and a half full time at two engineering firms here, etc. I guess I have some legit reasons for a Why Penn.

Should I say I will attend if admitted in my Why Penn? I've read about other people writing such bold statements in their Why X essays. I would attend if admitted though, I'm sure of it.

you should just apply ED, then, unless your numbers are so good that you can expect $$ from Penn, in which case you shouldn't be wringing your hands about legacy status.

[Mr. Frodo]

you should just apply ED, then, unless your numbers are so good that you can expect $$ from Penn, in which case you shouldn't be wringing your hands about legacy status.

No wringing of hands, I was just curious.

I don't think I'm going to ED either, as money would be nice.

[fatduck]

you should just apply ED, then, unless your numbers are so good that you can expect $$ from Penn, in which case you shouldn't be wringing your hands about legacy status.

No wringing of hands, I was just curious.

I don't think I'm going to ED either, as money would be nice.

then it doesn't make much sense to promise that you will attend penn above all others in your "why penn" essay. your ties will be fine to avoid YP.

[Mr. Frodo]

you should just apply ED, then, unless your numbers are so good that you can expect $$ from Penn, in which case you shouldn't be wringing your hands about legacy status.

No wringing of hands, I was just curious.

I don't think I'm going to ED either, as money would be nice.

then it doesn't make much sense to promise that you will attend penn above all others in your "why penn" essay. your ties will be fine to avoid YP.

Are you insinuating that by promising to attend, without actually applying ED, my chances at getting money are the same as if I just applied ED?

I thought the adcomm may be more willing to give money to someone with the right numbers, that shows he really wants to go to the school, but may not willing to commit without $$, depending on how other applications turn out.

[fatduck]

you should just apply ED, then, unless your numbers are so good that you can expect $$ from Penn, in which case you shouldn't be wringing your hands about legacy status.

No wringing of hands, I was just curious.

I don't think I'm going to ED either, as money would be nice.

then it doesn't make much sense to promise that you will attend penn above all others in your "why penn" essay. your ties will be fine to avoid YP.

Are you insinuating that by promising to attend, without actually applying ED, my chances at getting money are the same as if I just applied ED?

I thought the adcomm may be more willing to give money to someone with the right numbers, that shows he really wants to go to the school, but may not willing to commit without $$, depending on how other applications turn out.

i have no idea how penn makes scholarship decisions, but i'm sure that there's no point in saying "i will absolutely go to penn if admitted" when you have plenty of legitimate ties/evidence of sincere interest.

[Mr. Frodo]

i have no idea how penn makes scholarship decisions, but i'm sure that there's no point in saying "i will absolutely go to penn if admitted" when you have plenty of legitimate ties/evidence of sincere interest.

I just don't want my ties to go unseen somehow is all I guess. You seem to be sure they wouldn't though. I wasn't sure how much I should spell this out for Penn, since I may have more ties to Philly than the majority of applicants.

[fatduck]

i have no idea how penn makes scholarship decisions, but i'm sure that there's no point in saying "i will absolutely go to penn if admitted" when you have plenty of legitimate ties/evidence of sincere interest.

I just don't want my ties to go unseen somehow is all I guess. You seem to be sure they wouldn't though. I wasn't sure how much I should spell this out for Penn, since I may have more ties to Philly than the majority of applicants.

how good are your numbers? if you're a lock at HYS, then you might need to be a little more explicit about your undying love for penn, but i still wouldn't say that you will absolutely attend penn if admitted. i'd prefer to characterize it as your "top choice" or the like. say that you're from philly, you want to stay in philly, and penn is the perfect school for your goals. that's plenty, man.

[Mr. Frodo]

i have no idea how penn makes scholarship decisions, but i'm sure that there's no point in saying "i will absolutely go to penn if admitted" when you have plenty of legitimate ties/evidence of sincere interest.

I just don't want my ties to go unseen somehow is all I guess. You seem to be sure they wouldn't though. I wasn't sure how much I should spell this out for Penn, since I may have more ties to Philly than the majority of applicants.

how good are your numbers? if you're a lock at HYS, then you might need to be a little more explicit about your undying love for penn, but i still wouldn't say that you will absolutely attend penn if admitted. i'd prefer to characterize it as your "top choice" or the like. say that you're from philly, you want to stay in philly, and penn is the perfect school for your goals. that's plenty, man.

I will do as you suggest, man. Thanks a lot.

[bobbyh1919]

Yeah OP, you need to find a middle ground where (assuming you have the numbers to go almost anywhere) you can tell Penn that you have genuine interest and ties to the school, but HYSCCN is obviously still attractive and (wink wink) should Penn provide some financial assistance, you would like to go there.