-GENERAL INFO-

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1. What is the Alumni Council on Admissions?

ANSWER: The ACA is a part of the Office of Alumni Relations. The purpose of the ACA is to serve as a resource to alumni families who have children or grandchildren applying to one of Penn's four undergraduate schools. For more information, visit "What is the ACA?".

2. What is a legacy?

ANSWER: Children and grandchildren of all University of Pennsylvania degree recipients are considered legacies during the undergraduate admissions process.

3. How can I get on the ACA mailing list?

ANSWER: The ACA does not maintain a mailing list. We strive to reach out to alumni through communications channels already in place, such as The Pennsylvania Gazette, Alumni Weekend and Homecoming activities, and alumni websites that exist for Schools and Centers at Penn. To update alumni contact information, please join QuakerNet.

4. What can the ACA offer me?

ANSWER: The ACA acts as an additional resource for legacy applicants. After conducting some initial research about Penn and other college choices, students and alumni may use our office as a place to turn to with follow-up questions. The ACA offers the convenience of informal Legacy Advising Sessions and optional on-campus appointments. The ACA helps answer questions, and provides referrals to other campus departments.

5. Does the ACA assist legacies who are applying to a graduate or professional school at Penn?

ANSWER: The ACA is a resource for legacy applicants to the University's four undergraduate schools. Because Penn's graduate schools are autonomous, each school has its own admissions process and own policies regarding legacy consideration. For more information, please contact the admissions office of the specific graduate program.

6. What events does the ACA sponsor?

ANSWER: Each weekday, our office hosts informal Legacy Advising Sessions about legacy admissions. These question and answer sessions are scheduled at times which enable visiting families to attend an information session and campus tour offered by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The sessions are designed for high school students — at any stage of the college search process — who are considering admission to Penn. Of course, parents and family members are always welcome. Reservations are not required.

During Alumni Weekend in the spring and Homecoming in the fall, we work with Admissions to offer additional information sessions and tours to accommodate the many alumni visitors on campus at those times. In addition, the ACA has been collaborating with Penn Alumni groups to lead programs about navigating the selective college admissions process. Please visit our Programming and Events page for upcoming activities.

7. What benefits do I have as a legacy applicant to Penn?

ANSWER: Officially, legacies are defined as children and grandchildren of degree recipients of Penn. However, in our view, the strongest "benefit" of being a legacy does not come in the form of any bonus points in the admissions process. Rather, it is the opportunity that applicants have had over their lifetime to hear firsthand what makes Penn a special place.

With many applicants who are academically well-qualified for admission to Penn, the Admissions Committee considers qualitative factors, like how the student presents himself and his fit with Penn in the essays. In some cases, children of alumni know Penn so well that they make a very strong case for why they are a good match for the school. That is where the true "benefit" of the alumni connection really can help, however, this isn't just limited to legacies. activities.