A few years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that it's OK for colleges to consider race a factor in the admissions process. But if you think that decision rid campuses of racial and class issues, think again. Special consideration in admissions decisions is still sparking controversy -- but this time, the focus is on legacy admissions. Read on to find out who legacies are, why they're important, and the difference legacies make in the college application process.

Who are "legacies"?
In collegiate terms, a "legacy" is defined as an applicant with a relative who graduated from that college. Critics claim the practice of admitting students or awarding "points" based on legacy is a form of discrimination that mainly benefits upper- to middle-class white students. It's assumed such applicants already come from a position of privilege due to their race and social status.

Being the child of an alum tends to play a bigger role at private colleges, which depend on alumni support as a means of fundraising. Still, few colleges admit to legacy status being a factor in the admissions process. If they do, it's often said to be small. But recently, many schools and their legacy admissions policies have been put under a microscope, creating a surge of change in policies at colleges across the country.

Who do they affect?
The University of Georgia (UGA, Athens, GA) officially ended legacy as a factor in the admissions process several years ago. The decision was based on the idea that legacy gives already-advantaged students an edge. "The University of Georgia is the oldest public school in the United States, so we have lots of alums," says Nancy McDuff, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management at the school. "But it wasn't until 44 years ago that we started integrating [black students], so [being a] 'legacy' was not equal."

McDuff believes the decision to discontinue the practice enforces an equal opportunity to students. And although UGA still asks the question on its application, McDuff insists it's strictly for data-keeping purposes, like when she proudly proclaims that 10 percent of UGA's legacy students are African-American.

Why ask?
Students who apply to the private Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) are also asked the legacy question on their application, although for Wartburg admissions officers, legacy is a factor in the admissions decision. "The reason we ask that question is primarily because it's one of the factors we take into consideration in determining if the fit between the student and Wartburg is the right one," says Edith Waldstein, Ph.D, vice president for enrollment management and associate professor of humanities at the college.

"The reason we want to know," she continues, "is because we assume -- and we know it won't hold true 100 percent of the time -- that [legacy students] know something in a deeper way about the college." What legacy students know that a new applicant might not, she explains, is the character of the school. "The match is there, and [the student] is more likely to stay here and graduate, and that is the ultimate goal," says Waldstein. Still, she says legacy doesn't play a formal role in admission -- meaning no points are assigned.

What can being a legacy do for you?
Every year, Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, PA) awards five $2,500 annual scholarships ($10,000 over four years) to students who are descendants of alumni. Students chosen for the award are selected by the alumni board, but the board only reviews students' credentials -- they do not know their names.

"We feel good that Susquehanna can offer alumni an opportunity to encourage students to apply to the school," says Chris Markle, director of admissions at the school. While some may see this award as an unfair advantage, Markle begs to differ. "That's not the case at Susquehanna," he says. "We need to remember our history and encourage it by having legacy applicants. While we want ethnic, racial, and economic diversity, I think having legacy students adds to that diversity. They give a different perspective."

However, when it comes to decision time, both Waldstein and Markle stress that neither legacy nor diversity will mean anything if you're a weak student. The same holds true if your father recently funded the expansion of the new science lab.

Skeptical?
Don't be. Toby Waldorf, founder of Destination-U and a private college counselor for almost 20 years, says she's seeing more and more colleges turn unqualified legacies away. "USC [University of Southern California] is a good example," she says. "It used to be nicknamed 'University of Spoiled Children.' Today, USC routinely turns down legacy students who don't cut it. Colleges with fine reputations want to keep their integrity and don't want to [accept legacies] for the sake of pleasing a donor."

Real legacy students speak out
What would you say to someone who says legacy is an unfair factor in admissions?

"While I think there should be something to reward long-time donors of an institution, it seems unfair to reward someone for who their parents are -- unless the decision comes down to two students who essentially have the same credentials. I think legacy is an advantage, but it's certainly not as important as academic performance, recommendations, or extracurricular activities."
-- Will Harper, economics alum of Sewanee: The University of the South (Sewanee, TN), whose mother, father, and uncle attended the school

"Universities seek to bring a diverse group of students to their school. I believe legacies are a part of this vision. Legacies understand what it means to be a student and an alumnus of the university. They have grown up hearing about the school and all it has to offer. They can contribute uniquely to the diversity of their family's alma mater through their understanding of and sincere commitment to the school. I believe that to keep continuity within a school, it is crucial to honor legacies as a factor [in admission]."
-- Sara Duggan, finance alum of Texas A&M University (College Station, TX), whose mother and father graduated from the school

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