legacy admissions
Family-based college entry
Legacy admissions is the practice of giving preferential treatment to college applicants whose relatives—typically parents—attended the same institution.
Critics argue it perpetuates privilege and undermines meritocracy; defenders claim it builds multigenerational community and encourages alumni donations.
Her acceptance owed more to legacy admissions than her grades.
The term is primarily American.
- privilegeExclusive right or benefit
- silver spoonSymbol of inherited wealth
- alumni networksOrganizations connecting former students
- family tiesBonds between relatives
- Ivy LeagueElite university athletic conference
educational inequality · exclusivity · wealth disparity · elitism · alumni · systemic bias · policy reform · donor contributions · nepotism · legal challenges · cronyism · back door · underrepresented groups · early decision · favoritism · prestige · advocacy campaigns · unfair
- College Admissionscollege applications, application fee, college application, admission essays, applications
- Campus Rulesacademic integrity, grading policy, attendance, plagiarism, academic probation
- elite educationboarding schools, prep schools, private schools, international schools, elite schools
- elite networksold boys network, old boys club, inner circle, inner circles, cronyism
- elite schoolsprivate academies, preparatory schools, selective schools, Ivy League, grammar schools
- HarvardHarvard Yard, Harvard Square, Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School, Harvard alumni
legacy admissionsmeritocracy
Advancement through demonstrated ability
merit-based selection · competitive admissions · holistic review · standardized testing
legacy admissionsopen enrollment
Designated benefits signup window
open admissions · universal access · affirmative action · random selection