Legacy Scholarships: Getting a scholarship because your parents or distant relative attended the same school you are attending.
This absolutely ludicrous idea claims that legacy students deserve free money so they can continue a family tradition.
According to a 2019 CNBC, 36% of Harvard’s current freshman class consists of legacy students.
Although most universities won’t admit it, they admit students sometimes based on legacy instead of merit.
Saint Xavier University does a great job of not casting this shadow onto the student population.
Personally, I do not even remember it being an application question.
But with the rise in legacy scholarships given out and legacy students attending the same colleges their family went to, it brings up a bigger question: Why is it important to be a first-generation college student?
First-generation college students are students whose parents did not go to a four-year college to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
They are quite the opposite of legacy students, but first-generation college students should be valued.
It is incredibly difficult to face adversity and challenges in your life that prevent you from going to college.
And to rise above it all and face the odds, and to become a first-generation college student? That is something to be proud of.
I may not seem like it, but my parents did not attend college. Neither did my brother, nor my grandparents. I am a first-generation college student and I am doing it for myself. I am doing it by myself, and so is everyone who comes from the same background.
It is imperative to remember that being a first-generation college student comes with a little embarrassment and also bravery.
First-generation college students are people who have fought against the hardships in their life, climbed every mountain, jumped across every hurdle.
These students need to work hard, sometimes with more than one job, sometimes dealing with home life and other issues.
And I am so proud of those on campus who share the experience of being a student and being able to make their families, their friends, and themselves proud.
Legacy scholarships mean absolutely nothing, and we should get rid of them all together. Tradition, although sometimes cute and charming, can be destructive when it comes to diverting change.
We must change the way we think about the application process.
We must stand and bring about scholarships based on merit and being a good person.
We should bring about new policies that shape the education system into something so incredible, every person will be able to attend school if they are willing.
I will stand with my fellow students who are first-generation college students.
I will fight with them and grow with them. If you or someone you know shares this experience, tell them you are proud of them.
Tell them they deserve to be here. And tell them this is just the beginning. It is incredibly important that we show support to those who have started a tradition within their family. We have not started a legacy tradition, but a tradition of triumph and rising above.
Emily Rubino
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