How much does legacy status affect admissions at Dartmouth?
I’ve heard that some Ivy League schools give preference to legacy applicants, but I can’t seem to find any clear information about Dartmouth specifically. My dad went there, and he’s always talked about how great his experience was, but I’m nervous about how much weight my legacy status would actually carry if I apply.
Does Dartmouth officially consider legacy as a factor in their admissions decisions? And if so, is it a big advantage, or is it more of a tie-breaker? I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth highlighting in my application, or if I should just focus on other parts of my profile.
If anyone has gone through this process at Dartmouth, or knows more about how they look at legacy, I’d really appreciate some insight.
Does Dartmouth officially consider legacy as a factor in their admissions decisions? And if so, is it a big advantage, or is it more of a tie-breaker? I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth highlighting in my application, or if I should just focus on other parts of my profile.
If anyone has gone through this process at Dartmouth, or knows more about how they look at legacy, I’d really appreciate some insight.
6 months ago
•
488 views
Grayce Gibbs
• 6 months ago
Advisor
Dartmouth does officially consider legacy status during its admissions process, but the weight it carries is nuanced. Legacy status at Dartmouth usually refers to applicants whose parents (sometimes grandparents) graduated from Dartmouth College. On their Common Data Set, Dartmouth indicates that 'alumni/ae relation' is a considered factor—so yes, it’s on the table, but not nearly as significant as academic records, test scores, or extracurricular achievements.
In terms of actual impact, legacy can offer a modest boost, particularly if you apply Early Decision. It’s not a guarantee of admission, but legacy applicants statistically have a higher admit rate than non-legacies. However, much of that difference also reflects the fact that legacy applicants often come from backgrounds with additional resources or strong applications. Recent statements by Dartmouth admissions officers suggest the effect of legacy is largely one of 'breaking ties' among similarly qualified candidates, rather than pushing marginal applicants across the finish line.
For example, suppose two applicants are both highly competitive and essentially equal in Dartmouth’s eyes; the committee might lean toward the legacy applicant if all else is balanced. But if the core application isn’t strong—grades, course rigor, essays, recommendations—legacy won’t rescue it. In fact, some legacies don’t get in, and plenty of non-legacies do.
It is absolutely worth listing your legacy connection anywhere that's relevant on the application (family section, additional info, etc.), but you don’t need to make it the centerpiece of your application or essays unless there is a meaningful, personal story attached—such as how your dad’s Dartmouth experience inspired your academic interests or campus involvement goals. Avoid making legacy sound like the only thing driving your application; instead, use it as an extra connection.
In terms of actual impact, legacy can offer a modest boost, particularly if you apply Early Decision. It’s not a guarantee of admission, but legacy applicants statistically have a higher admit rate than non-legacies. However, much of that difference also reflects the fact that legacy applicants often come from backgrounds with additional resources or strong applications. Recent statements by Dartmouth admissions officers suggest the effect of legacy is largely one of 'breaking ties' among similarly qualified candidates, rather than pushing marginal applicants across the finish line.
For example, suppose two applicants are both highly competitive and essentially equal in Dartmouth’s eyes; the committee might lean toward the legacy applicant if all else is balanced. But if the core application isn’t strong—grades, course rigor, essays, recommendations—legacy won’t rescue it. In fact, some legacies don’t get in, and plenty of non-legacies do.
It is absolutely worth listing your legacy connection anywhere that's relevant on the application (family section, additional info, etc.), but you don’t need to make it the centerpiece of your application or essays unless there is a meaningful, personal story attached—such as how your dad’s Dartmouth experience inspired your academic interests or campus involvement goals. Avoid making legacy sound like the only thing driving your application; instead, use it as an extra connection.
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Grayce Gibbs
Denver, CO
Dartmouth College (AB); Colorado School of Mines (MS)
Experience
4 years