No, you cannot point to some unfortunate actions nearly 100 years ago as proof- or even suspicion- that legacies have some extraordinary pull today. It still comes down to the individual’s application. Legacy is not magic. Threads have gone over and over legacy numbers and generally more are rejected than admitted to the tippy tops.
Plus, “preference” implies preferred. Nah. What top colleges “prefer” is a rounded class of rounded individuals who form a solid 4-year experience for all. Well, I do agree athletes “can” form an exception.
edited