Legacy Admissions FAQ
General
Interviews
Application Process
Campus Visit
General
1. What is the Alumni Council on Admissions?
2. What is a legacy?
3. How can I get on the ACA mailing list?
4. What can the ACA offer me?
5. Does the ACA assist legacies who are applying
to a graduate or professional school at Penn?
6. What events does the ACA sponsor?
Interviews
1. Does Penn require interviews for applicants?
2. How can I schedule an interview?
3. When can I schedule an interview?
4. Does the ACA interview transfer applicants to
Penn's undergraduate schools?
5. Is there an advantage to interviewing with the
ACA rather than with an alumni interviewer in my local area?
6. If I've already been interviewed at Penn by the
ACA, do I need to have another interview with an alumnus/a in
my hometown?
7. What can I expect from the interview?
8. How do I find out more about interviewing with
an alumnus/a in my area?
Application Process
1. How do I request an application and learn of
application deadlines?
2. How important is the legacy tie in the admission
process?
3. Is there an advantage for legacies to apply Early
Decision?
4. What is the application process for legacies?
5. Should I send any materials (resume, recommendations,
etc.) to the ACA?
6. Does it help if I have multiple family members
who have attended Penn?
7. If I apply Early Decision, do I have less leverage
concerning my financial aid?
8. Is the legacy tie considered at all during regular
decision?
9. What influence does the ACA have in the application
process?
10. How can I determine if I would be a realistic applicant to Penn?
11.What percentage of legacies are admitted?
Campus Visit
1. What do you suggest I do during a campus visit?
2. When should I come?
3. Can I stay overnight with a current student?
4. Can I attend a class?
5. Can the ACA arrange for me to meet with a coach?
6. What if I can't make it to campus? What options
do I have?
- GENERAL -
What is the Alumni Council
on Admissions?
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.
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What is a legacy?
Children and grandchildren of all University of Pennsylvania degree
recipients are considered legacies during the undergraduate admissions
process.
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How can I get on the ACA mailing
list?
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 websites for individual
school's alumni offices (Dental, Vet, Wharton, etc.). Please visit
our website
for the most current information about our services and programs.
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What can the ACA offer me?
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 an optional on-campus interview, helps schedule meetings with
faculty members, and provides referrals to other campus departments.
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Does the ACA assist legacies
who are applying to a graduate or professional school at Penn?
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.
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What events does the ACA sponsor?
Each week, our office hosts informal Question & Answer sessions about legacy admissions. The ACA Q&A sessions
are scheduled at times which enable visiting families to attend
an information session and campus
tour offered by the Office
of Undergraduate Admissions. 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. Reservations
are not required for any of the sessions.
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.
In addition, the ACA has been collaborating with Penn
Alumni groups to lead programs
about navigating the selective college admissions process.
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- INTERVIEWS -
Does Penn require interviews
for applicants?
No, interviews are an optional part of the Penn admissions process.
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How can I schedule an interview?
To schedule an optional on-campus interview with the ACA, please
call our office at 215-898-6888. We encourage you to contact us
4-6 weeks in advance of any preferred date. Please note, the ACA
does not solicit interviews, so should you wish to interview,
please phone us to schedule one.
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When can I schedule an interview?
The ACA interviews begin during the second half of the student's junior year in high school. We recommend that students schedule the interview after they have started the college search so they
are better equipped to articulate their interest in Penn, and
why Penn is a good match for them. We encourage that students
complete their interview in accordance with application deadlines.
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Does the ACA interview transfer
applicants to Penn's undergraduate schools?
Yes. We work with all legacy students who apply for undergraduate
admission including transfer students.
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Is there an advantage to interviewing
with the ACA rather than with an alumni interviewer in my local
area?
No, there is no difference.
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If I've already been interviewed
at Penn by the ACA, do I need to have another interview with an
alumnus/a in my hometown?
No. Interviews are an optional part of the admissions process.
No one is required to have one interview, let alone two. If you
have already had an on-campus interview and are called by an alumnus/a
regarding another interview, please let them know you have previously
been to campus to interview with the ACA.
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What can I expect from the
interview?
The interview is a discussion between the student and a member
of the Alumni Relations staff, lasting approximately 30-45 minutes.
It is an opportunity for Penn to get to know you a little better,
and for you to ask any questions you might have. You do not need
to bring anything with you, nor do you need to do any special
preparation for the interview. Simply be prepared to speak about
your experiences and your desire to attend Penn.
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How do I find out more about
interviewing with an alumnus/a in my area?
This process is coordinated by the Office
of Undergraduate Admissions. Alumni interviewers contact applicants
AFTER the student has submitted Form 1A of the application.
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- APPLICATION PROCESS -
How do I request an application
and learn of application deadlines?
Please refer to Admissions
timetable for application deadlines. You may request an application
online;
applications are mailed beginning in late summer before a student's
senior year. Feel free to contact the Office
of Undergraduate Admissions for other information and/or Penn
brochures.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of Pennsylvania
1 College Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6376
215-898-7507
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How important is the legacy
tie in the admission process?
Legacies undergo the same competitive review process as all other Penn applicants, and also receive a supplemental review before reaching the Admissions Committee. If the Committee finds an application compelling, the legacy status could represent an additional point of interest about the candidate. However, it is important to note that the legacy affiliation cannot serve to counterbalance weaknesses or shortcomings in an application.
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Is there an advantage for
legacies to apply Early Decision?
Legacies receive maximum consideration under the Early Decision Plan. This is because an Early Decision application reflects the student's heightened personal commitment to Penn, independent of any family influence. Penn's Early Decision Plan is binding. Legacies are encouraged to apply Early Decision if Penn is their first choice institution.
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What is the application process
for legacies?
The process is the same for all applicants, regardless of legacy
status. There is a space for legacies to note their family ties
to Penn on their application Form 1A.
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Should I send any materials
(resume, recommendations, etc.) to the ACA?
No. The ACA does not keep any files on applicants or students
with whom we have had contact. All application materials should
be sent directly to the Office
of Undergraduate Admissions.
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Does it help if I have multiple
family members who have attended Penn?
You are considered a legacy whether you have one alumni parent/grandparent
or several.
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If I apply Early Decision,
do I have less leverage concerning my financial aid?
Penn will meet 100% of demonstrated need for those admitted Early
Decision and Regular Decision. Some students will apply Regular
Decision so that they can weigh financial aid packages from all
the schools to which they have been admitted. For more information
on financial aid, contact the Student
Financial Services Office.
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Is the legacy tie considered
at all during regular decision?
Yes. Family affiliation with Penn is noted in all undergraduate
applications - Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Transfer. However, legacies receive maximum consideration when they apply under the Early Decision Plan.
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What influence does the ACA
have in the application process?
Advocacy is not part of the mission of the ACA, therefore we do
not advocate on behalf of legacies during the admission process.
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How can I determine if I would be a realistic applicant to Penn?
Many students (and parents) like to get a sense as to whether they are "even in the ballpark" when it comes to applying to Penn. Of course the selective nature of Penn admission has changed over the years. While this means your parent's alma mater is in great shape, it also means, to the chagrin of many alumni with college-bound children, that Penn is a "reach" school for many applicants today.
A prospective student can self-assess by using the following criteria:
- does your academic profile compare favorably with Penn's most recent Accepted Student Profile?
- are you taking the most rigorous courseload available at your high school?
- can you articulate how your interests and extracurricular activities will allow you to contribute to the community at Penn?
Answering yes to any of these questions may place a student "in the ballpark". However, it is important to note that the vast majority of Penn's applicants fit this profile, so the Admissions Committee goes beyond these kinds of qualifications to select the most compelling, interesting, and exciting students whose applications demonstrate the strongest fit with Penn.
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What percentage of legacies are admitted?
This number varies from year to year, and there is no quota in place to determine how many legacies might be admitted. For the class of 2008, 11% of the admitted class has legacy affiliations. Among all applicants, Penn has admitted approximately 20% of students. While legacies are admitted at a slightly higher rate, it is important to note that in the last several years almost two-thirds of legacy applicants were not admitted to Penn.
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- CAMPUS VISIT -
What do you suggest I do during
a campus visit?
We strongly recommend students attend an Admissions information
session and take a campus
tour, both of which are offered daily by the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions. No prior reservations are required. If a student has
a particular interest in the Wharton
School, or the School
of Engineering, or the Nursing
School, we would strongly recommend taking the school-specific
tour as well.
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When should I come?
You are welcome to visit campus anytime. The Office of Undergraduate
Admissions offers information sessions and campus
tours year-round, excluding major holidays. If you are flexible,
however, we would suggest visiting the campus during the academic
year when classes are in session. Seeing Penn when the students
are here gives you a better sense of the community. You also have
the option of sitting in on a class.
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Can I stay overnight with
a current student?
Yes. If you wish to stay
overnight you must contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions
(215-898-7507) at least two weeks prior to your visit. Overnight
housing is available on a limited basis Monday through Wednesday
nights during the months of October, November and February.
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Can I attend a class?
Yes, class visits will help you learn more about academic life
at Penn. A course roster of classes open for visits is available
at the reception desk in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Appointments are not required.
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Can the ACA arrange for me
to meet with a coach?
Due to NCAA regulations, unfortunately we are not able to do so.
We encourage students to contact
the coach directly or complete the Prospective
Student-Athlete Form.
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What if I can't make it to
campus? What options do I have?
It is possible that a representative from Penn will
visit your area. You can also take a virtual
tour. We encourage you to explore Penn's website where you
have the opportunity to view webpages
of student activities as well as look up class
offerings and academic requirements.
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