Does UC Berkeley Consider Legacy in Admissions?
As I get ready to apply to college this fall, I've been wondering about how much legacy status matters at different schools. My dad went to Berkeley for grad school, and my uncle got his undergrad degree there. I know some private colleges give legacy applicants a bit of a boost, but I’m not really sure how it works at UC Berkeley since it's public.
Do they take legacy into account at all? Or is it, like, completely ignored in the admissions process? I’m just trying to figure out how (if at all) it might affect my chances, especially because Berkeley is one of my top choices. If anyone knows how it works or has experience applying as a legacy, I’d appreciate any info!
I already checked the website but couldn’t really get a clear answer, so I thought I’d ask here.
Do they take legacy into account at all? Or is it, like, completely ignored in the admissions process? I’m just trying to figure out how (if at all) it might affect my chances, especially because Berkeley is one of my top choices. If anyone knows how it works or has experience applying as a legacy, I’d appreciate any info!
I already checked the website but couldn’t really get a clear answer, so I thought I’d ask here.
2 months ago
•
128 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 months ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley does not factor legacy status into its admissions decisions. California’s public university system, including all UC campuses, is bound by state policies that prohibit considering legacy in admissions. The University of California system used to allow a limited role for legacy many years ago, but that changed over time, especially following a series of reforms aimed at promoting fairness and equity.
Specifically, the UC Board of Regents passed policies prohibiting consideration of alumni relationships (like relatives attending or having graduated from UC schools) as part of the selection process. This rule applies to both undergraduate and graduate applicants, although the focus is mainly on undergrad admissions. When you fill out your application, you’ll notice there’s nowhere to indicate legacy status, unlike what you might see on private college apps.
As for your situation, having a parent or uncle who went to Berkeley—even for graduate school—will have no bearing on your admissions chances. You neither receive an advantage nor a disadvantage as a legacy applicant at UC Berkeley.
For example, say your friend is applying to a private school like Stanford or USC, and their parent is an alum; at those schools, it could sometimes provide a slight edge. Berkeley, on the other hand, treats all applicants the same on this front.
Focus on what you can control: your academics, essays, extracurriculars, and your unique story. If you loved hearing your dad or uncle talk about Berkeley, you could weave that inspiration into your essays where relevant—just don’t expect a formal legacy benefit in the admissions process itself.
Specifically, the UC Board of Regents passed policies prohibiting consideration of alumni relationships (like relatives attending or having graduated from UC schools) as part of the selection process. This rule applies to both undergraduate and graduate applicants, although the focus is mainly on undergrad admissions. When you fill out your application, you’ll notice there’s nowhere to indicate legacy status, unlike what you might see on private college apps.
As for your situation, having a parent or uncle who went to Berkeley—even for graduate school—will have no bearing on your admissions chances. You neither receive an advantage nor a disadvantage as a legacy applicant at UC Berkeley.
For example, say your friend is applying to a private school like Stanford or USC, and their parent is an alum; at those schools, it could sometimes provide a slight edge. Berkeley, on the other hand, treats all applicants the same on this front.
Focus on what you can control: your academics, essays, extracurriculars, and your unique story. If you loved hearing your dad or uncle talk about Berkeley, you could weave that inspiration into your essays where relevant—just don’t expect a formal legacy benefit in the admissions process itself.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years