I agree that the parental legacy is the only one that really matters. That said, don't underestimate the ability of the more sophisticated schools to map your entire legacy web from a single requested piece of information, "where did your parents go to college?" Cousins attended - unlikely to move the needle. Father was an undergrad, as well as two aunts and grandpa and his brother - this will get their attention. They will place a lot of stock in a multi-generational unbroken legacy.

The common app asks this question specifically. I think it was just parents and siblings. Maybe grandparents. But definitely did not include cousins.

Anonymous wrote:Most schools only ask where the parents went. There isn't even a place for grandparents, uncles, etc.

Not true, my brother is being considered for admission as a legacy at my alma mater right now.

Most schools only ask where the parents went. There isn't even a place for grandparents, uncles, etc.

And only one graduated. There's your legacy OP - a 50% shot.

Anonymous wrote:Second cousins? That seems like a giant stretch of a connection.

+1
Hoping that suggestion was facetious, in which case, hilarious! Most schools don't even put that much weight on a parental legacy.

Second cousins? That seems like a giant stretch of a connection.

Seriously? Second cousins?

Even if they gave a dorm it wouldn't help. I know of such a situation.

Some apps ask if anyone in your family attended. My child put down second cousins. Not that it will get the application into the legacy pile but it would show some connection to the school - assuming that this is a school where that matters.

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Not going to help unless your cousins donated a dorm each.

this - unless they endowed a professorship or did something substantial in terms of development, then no i don't think it'll matter.

You are sure to get in. Definitely apply.

Go for it OP!

Nope. Not going to help unless your cousins donated a dorm each.

Is it a second cousin? If so, that is fine.

Do colleges ever consider family members who have attended as legacy? I have two cousins who attended a prestigious school (one earned a terminal degree).

I know the schools consider legacy to be parent(s) but do they ever ask if you have relatives who have attended? Does that carry any weight? And I'm not talking about Boola Boola Community College.