Definition: Legacies is a term which refers to applicants whose close relatives currently attend or have attended the same school. While it cannot be proven and is not openly discussed, the practice of admissions offices giving preferential treatment to legacy applicants is a common one. A subtle clue can be found on just about every private school application form where it asks if you have any relatives at the school or who have previously attended the school.
The practice is controversial to the extent that the legacy with a weaker application is looked upon more favorably than another non-legacy applicant whose application is stronger. In other words some argue that the private school admissions playing field is not exactly level.
On the other hand, from a fund raising perspective, alumni giving is generally significantly higher from families where several generations have attended the same school.
Resources
- Legacy Admissions – Affirmative Action for the Rich?
- Looking to the Past to Ban Legacy Admissions
- The Price of Admission
Find more terms in the Private School Glossary.
Examples:
George W. Bush was a legacy at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts which his father George H.W. Bush attended as well.