How do schools vet legacy claims?

<p>When my son applied to Connecticut College, he (accurately) listed my (deceased) mother as his legacy connection. He received several letters mentioning the legacy connection, and was eventually admitted, but is attending elsewhere.</p>

<p>His cousin, with the same grandmother, did not list the legacy, and was not admitted. IIRC, the cousin had slightly better grades and stats. </p>

<p>Who knows!</p>