<p>I think the “given good grades and test scores” part is the most important!</p>
<p>Having a sibling currently attending or having legacy status does not currently seem to improve chances. There is a mom who used to post regularly who had the experience of her older child attending USC and a younger sibling applied with better statistics and was refused. (The admissions had become more selective in the couple of years since the older had applied.)</p>
<p>The biggest benefit of legacy or family connections currently is that preferred transfer counseling and consideration are given those students if they are not accepted as freshmen.</p>
<p>Others will strongly disagree with me though, and continue to insist that “being rich” or having legacy status are the keys to admission.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>