<p>As someone who just went through this with son and the legacy factor did not result in acceptance, I still favor it. </p>
<p>Son had 2070 SAT/34ACT and 4.4 GPA and still was waitlisted at my Ivy alma mater. In case you wonder, I have given generously for 25+ years, endowed a small scholarship and interview applicants for the school each year. Still, that was not enough for admission. So–#1–it’s not the factor many of you who post think it is; and #2–despite that, I still think it’s a worthwhile criterion to use in admissions. It isn’t just about money, it’s about reinforcing a culture that legacies might understand better than kids whose parents didn’t go to the school. Remember, legacies are a PART of the class, but only a PART–there are anywhere from 80% to 95% non-legacies in the classes. </p>
<p>All the parents on this board have great kids who they think are awesome. I do too. That still doesn’t mean that the admissions officers at these schools see it the same way. </p>
<p>Face it, you’re all trying to impose structure and predictability on a process that is anything but. Instead of whining about it, support your kid in whatever school s/he is admitted to and decides to attend. They and you will be better off for it.</p>