How much do you think money and parents' social status influence elite college admissions?

[OHMomof2]

@roethlisburger There is a real dichotomy between the families earning $104k and $272k, maybe even larger than the dichotomy between the families earning $104k and $30k. The $104k family can’t afford to spend $20k+/year on a private school for k-12. The $104k family isn’t going to be able to afford a house in the neighborhoods with the best public schools. The $104k family can’t spend $10k on a college consultant. The $104k family might be able to afford some spending on ECs, but not nearly as much as the $272k family. A 5-week lacrosse camp can run up to $7500.

??? If the $104k family spends $20k on a private school they still earn 3x as much as the $30k family.

This is so geographically dependent. The $104k family in my area can do a nice house in the neighborhood with the best public schools, an private for a kid or two also. They certainly can spend $10k on a college consultant if they want to.

The $30k family is not likely to have much extra at all, but around here even that family can probably swing YMCA or rec sports team fees. Not the house in the nice school area or the private school though, and definitely not the college consultant.