Legacy?

[Isaac]

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Hey Guys--

Is there any, if at all, weight given to "legacy" applicants? My bro is an MSIII at MCW and I will be applying later this year with potentially "borderline" stats (low GPA and unknown MCATs--hoping and studying hard now). Will there be any consdieration given to the fact that I've already got some family there?

Thanks for the input!

Best and good luck,

Isaac.

 

[Amy]

Yes, legacies definitely have an advantage. In medicine, it's all about who you know (and who you're related to).

 

[SMW]

Welcome to SDN!! 🙂 Congrats to your brother, and good luck to you! I think being a legacy is much more helpful at the undergrad level than in applying to med school. In fact, I've never even heard the term used with regard to med school admissions (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I know some schools do ask on their secondaries if you have a parent who attended the school -- I don't remember any apps asking about siblings. In any event, I would not think it would help with "borderline" stats, but it might give you a slight leg up with good stats. I recommend less hoping and more studying!!! :wink: 😀

 

[none]

Yep, it helps for schools who ask about it. These are pretty much always private schools and it definitely is not universal among them, but some do care. The medical alumni are often more important donors than the undergrad alumni.

 

[EMTgirl]

i definitely think it may at least help you get an interview. my sister attends the school i will be attending, and i really don't think i would have gotten such an early interview if she had not been a student. we are also identical twins though, so maybe that also helps a bit. my stats are pretty average also...3.6 and 27Q. don't get me wrong, i don't think any med schools are going to "give a spot away" to anyone who is otherwise not qualified just because they are a sibling. but i do think they may take a closer look at your app and give you the courtesy of an early interview. just my 2 cents.

 

[crazygop]

I can definately answer for the legacy question (at least at Pitt) - my dad went there for medical school. I think that it is generally true that legacy does not mean so much for getting in. I know for a fact that Pitt grants interviews for legacies as a courtesy. I also know for a fact that it does not automatically get you in - I was rejected by Pitt. Thus, I think that legacy helps get the interview, but does not (directly) get you admitted.

 

[shimmer118]

The vast majority of my secondaries asked if I had a mom, dad, sister, brother, uncle, aunt, grandpa, grandma, fish, dog, cat, hamster, you-name-it who was affiliated w/ the school, be it they graduated from there w/ an MD or they cleaned the bathrooms.
For undergrad schools, it really varies by school how much it'll help you. For example, we all know that Hahvahd is big on the legacy thing. My college is not (friend who's on the admissions committee told me they don't give a rip if you're a "legacy". Doesn't even factor into your app.)
Maybe med schools are the same (i.e. it varies from school-to-school)? *shrug*

Good luck w/ your applications!

 

[Isaac]

Thanks for all the informative responses guys! Glad to be here.

Regards,

Isaac.

 

[California]

MY OPINION

I think being a "legacy" is only important at private institutions. However, I think being the "legacy" of a sibling has less of an impact on an application as being the "legacy" of a father or mother.

 

[NRAI2001]

Hey guys,

 

[NRAI2001]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if having parents that are doctors, even if they didn't attend the med school that your are applying to will factor (even if alittle) into your app.

 

[reesie0726]

I read somewhere that some adcoms will look favorably on someone who has a parent who has a physician b/c they have a realistic idea about the life of a doctor. I doubt that having a parent who is a doctor will put very much weight on your application but maybe it helps a tiny bit.