Elite Colleges’ Quiet Fight to Favor Alumni Children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

Oh, I forgot to mention, he has a job and played 3 varsity sports all through high school. I know you want to wish that our kids are all jerks--and by the way, wishing evil on an 18-year-old is demented--but most of them deserve it. Period.

Who is wishing evil? All the posters I have seen have said that it seems like your kid is actually pretty smart because he realizes his admission wasn’t based on his own merits. Can you specifically point to the exact line that you believe is “wishing evil,” drama llama? I want a quote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

Oh, I forgot to mention, he has a job and played 3 varsity sports all through high school. I know you want to wish that our kids are all jerks--and by the way, wishing evil on an 18-year-old is demented--but most of them deserve it. Period.

So he studied for 5-7 hours a night, played three sports and held down a job? Sure

I’m beginning to think that this poster is literally delusional. Maybe she doesn’t even have a son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is a $hitshow but highly comical, what a bunch of morons.

And your post is the most highly intelligent of them all. Thanks for sharing.

Just adjusting to the surroundings and dumbing things down for you people. People stopped making any sense about 10 pages ago but you do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

Oh, I forgot to mention, he has a job and played 3 varsity sports all through high school. I know you want to wish that our kids are all jerks--and by the way, wishing evil on an 18-year-old is demented--but most of them deserve it. Period.

So he studied for 5-7 hours a night, played three sports and held down a job? Sure

I’m beginning to think that this poster is literally delusional. Maybe she doesn’t even have a son.

No, she just has superpowers, because she knows that her son is superior in intelligence and as a fine human being to everyone posting here today (and their kids.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

+1

I find that poster kind of fascinating in her utter inability to see reality. She is unintentionally making a better argument for the elimination of legacy admissions than anyone else on this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all of you that are okay with legacy preference, are you okay with affirmative action? Same thing but in reverse.

I am ok with both.

+2. DC1 is the 3rd generation at Brown, where DH's grandmother established a scholarship. I can see why the school would want us versus someone who sent 25 copy/paste applications to whatever US News ranked at the top that year.

I'm neutral on legacy admissions, but you are clueless. The whole reason why someone HAS to send 25 copy/paste applications is because they don't have your advantage.

+1 I guess their Ivy league education wasn't enough to give ^PP critical thinking skills. To the ^PP: your post reeks of privilege and stupidity.

And this is why your kids will not get admitted. I'm asking a simple question - why are you applying to an elite college with legacy preference - and you can't even answer that.

Yes, you are a genius and all the many different people posting on this thread won't have their kids admitted. Sure. Yes, you're the epitome of a legacy parent.

You still haven't answered why do you want your child to apply to an elite school with legacy preference when you are against it.

I’m not that PP… but are you truly this slow? Really?

Wow.

Yes, so please enlighten me why your kid should be with my entitled legacy and not at JMU.

Sure, give us the name and stats of your "entitled legacy" and we can describe whether our kids are higher performing. Do you see how this works and how stupid your question is?

You are still not answering why your child wants to be at an elite college with legacy preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

You're the one who said your kid wouldnt have gotten in if not for legacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

I’m not that PP you responded to, but I agree that with every post you make, you are more effectively arguing for the elimination of legacy admissions than anyone else on this thread. Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all of you that are okay with legacy preference, are you okay with affirmative action? Same thing but in reverse.

I am ok with both.

+2. DC1 is the 3rd generation at Brown, where DH's grandmother established a scholarship. I can see why the school would want us versus someone who sent 25 copy/paste applications to whatever US News ranked at the top that year.

I'm neutral on legacy admissions, but you are clueless. The whole reason why someone HAS to send 25 copy/paste applications is because they don't have your advantage.

+1 I guess their Ivy league education wasn't enough to give ^PP critical thinking skills. To the ^PP: your post reeks of privilege and stupidity.

And this is why your kids will not get admitted. I'm asking a simple question - why are you applying to an elite college with legacy preference - and you can't even answer that.

Yes, you are a genius and all the many different people posting on this thread won't have their kids admitted. Sure. Yes, you're the epitome of a legacy parent.

You still haven't answered why do you want your child to apply to an elite school with legacy preference when you are against it.

I’m not that PP… but are you truly this slow? Really?

Wow.

Yes, so please enlighten me why your kid should be with my entitled legacy and not at JMU.

Sure, give us the name and stats of your "entitled legacy" and we can describe whether our kids are higher performing. Do you see how this works and how stupid your question is?

You are still not answering why your child wants to be at an elite college with legacy preference.

You are incredibly slow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

Some pretty miserable angst ridden people on here today it's fun to watch them bellow, howl and squirm. Good for your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's interesting how legacy admissions remain in the United States while more class-conscious countries like the UK have abolished them...
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/13/us/legacy-admissions-colleges-universities.html

Elite Colleges’ Quiet Fight to Favor Alumni Children
Colleges like Yale and Harvard give a boost to legacy applicants. But with affirmative action under attack, that tradition may become harder to defend.

Describing its incoming class of 2025, Yale boasted that its students hailed from 48 states, 68 countries and 1,221 high schools. What’s more, the university announced last year, 51 percent of the class identified as students of color.

Yet even as Yale promotes the diversity of its first-year students, the college has clung to an admissions tradition — legacy preferences — that mostly benefits students who are white, wealthy and well-connected. Of the incoming students, 14 percent were the offspring of a Yale graduate, receiving the kind of admissions boost also used at other elite institutions.

Not much has made a dent in the century-old tradition, despite efforts to end the preference that have been waged by progressive students, lawmakers and education reformers. Many colleges say legacy students cement family ties and multigenerational loyalty. And only a few elite colleges have abolished the preference.

The practice of legacy admissions, however, may soon face its greatest test yet — and in a twist, its future could be tied to the future of affirmative action.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments this fall about race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina. If the court ends or rolls back the widely used practice of considering race in selecting students, as many experts expect, the ruling could prompt a reconsideration of legacy applicants. Explicitly favoring the children of alumni — some of whom would be competitive applicants regardless because of socioeconomic advantages — would become harder to defend if racial preferences are no longer allowed.

UK has discrimination already built into the system. Admissions are based on exam scores. The rich kids go to the prep schools that prepare them exclusively for the tests. Check out how many Blacks are at Oxford or Cambridge or in these elite prep schools. You’ll find a handful of Nigerians and not much else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

Too bad JMU didn't teach you how to make an argument. You want others to "raise a kid who can do the work". But it's perfectly fine that your kid buys a spot at an elite college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

Some pretty miserable angst ridden people on here today it's fun to watch them bellow, howl and squirm. Good for your kid.

I think the delusional PP is the clearly miserable one? She can’t seem to handle the reality that her child’s admission wasn’t based on his own merits? That seems pretty miserable to me. Idk. I don’t really understand her desperate self-delusions but whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

Some pretty miserable angst ridden people on here today it's fun to watch them bellow, howl and squirm. Good for your kid.

I think the delusional PP is the clearly miserable one? She can’t seem to handle the reality that her child’s admission wasn’t based on his own merits? That seems pretty miserable to me. Idk. I don’t really understand her desperate self-delusions but whatever.

The only delusional people here are the one's that continue to say the same thing over and over and over again. Everyone gets it, you want to pile onto the lady on an anonymous forum and denigrate her family and child because you have an opinion you feel is virtuous. Get a life people, sit down and STFU, you have far surpassed the pro legacy people in your vitriol and lack of class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I were a legacy or big donor kid, legacy/donor admissions would make me really question my worth. Every other admissions category comes with a personal challenge and merit. Athletes are exceptionally hard workers (I’m not one btw, but do not understand the unhinged DCUM haters). First-gen did not have the family assistance. URM have faced racism. But legacy and donor kids did literally nothing to merit their admissions. It had to mess with their heads. They must know they are only there because of pure luck. Idk. I can’t understand why people want that for their kids.

My kid is a legacy who would not have gotten into the top 20 that he did without that status. It wasn't alone legacy that got him in, but also the multi-million dollar gifts from his family over the last 60 years. The thing is, he worked incredibly hard--as hard as any kid could--at a very intense independent school. He is incredibly bright but has ADHD and there was just no way, despite his 6-7 hours of homework a night, meeting with teachers, ECs, all of it--and probably more than 99% of his peers--that he could get straight As. He got into great schools, just not quite as high as the one that legacy got him. He chose it anyway, with some trepidation. He says that sometimes he feels "imposter" syndrome (I explained that's not exactly what that is), but he knows he worked every bit as hard as his classmates who didn't get in. So why does he deserve it less? He worked harder than most and is highly intelligent. If you think he didn't deserve it, then your argument must be that only those with a very certain kind of intelligence, regardless of work ethic, should get in. Is that what you think?

He didn’t work harder that most. You need to dispense with that lie. He certainly did not work harder than a kid who has to work a 20-hour per week job in addition to getting higher grades than your DS. He didn’t work harder than an athlete who kept up a crushing training schedule while getting grades similar to your son’s. He didn’t work harder than a kid who had to get higher grades while also negotiating the college application system for the first time in his extended family.

Your son has figured out that his admission was based on reasons other than his own merit and accomplishments. You are bizarrely trying to create a fantasy world where that is not the case, whether to protect him or you, I don’t know. But your entire post reeks of self-delusion. Look, your DCs admission was bought and not based on his own merits. He sees it (a credit to him). It is you who are telling yourself fantasies to avoid the truth.

+1 This poster has a complex that her excessively privileged kid is a victim of unfairness of the world. Her ADHD kid could probably do nothing and live off his family's trust funds his whole life and end up better off than a first gen college student who works his butt off. But nothing will convince people like that they are privilieged. To them, they are working hard and earned every penny of their vast inherited wealth.

Oh my gosh, when did I say I didn't know I was privileged? Actually, for the record, I was not born or raised privileged. In fact, and this is especially for the jerk bashing JMU, I myself was a first-gen college student and went to JMU. I was a recruited athlete, worked hard, and then you know what I was able to do from there? Get a great job, then marry really well! Have I been privileged since I married well 20 years ago? Yep. Am I more privileged than most POC? Yes again. But you are making ridiculous assumptions about me based on my defense of legacy admissions. My son did go through hell to get through high school and yes, worked as hard as (fine, almost) any teenager you could meet. One of his best friends killed himself and a close family member dropped dead right in front of our eyes during his junior year. And this kid just kept on going. You don't know him and just because he couldn't get a straight A average doesn't make him less worthy. Frankly, being born to a wealthy father doesn't make him less worthy. Not his fault. Why aren't you bashing all the well-off private school kids who go to top colleges? Do you have a problem with them, too? Because you seem to think that anybody with some privilege doesn't deserve it. The vast vast majority of kids going to top 20 universities are getting in based on any number of criteria, the most important of which is evidence that they can do the work. So, instead of wasting so much time worrying about the rich kids who you seem to think are going to take that spot away from your kid, why not instead raise a kid who can do the work? If you weren't able to, then too bad. I guess it's JMU for him, too.

Some pretty miserable angst ridden people on here today it's fun to watch them bellow, howl and squirm. Good for your kid.

I think the delusional PP is the clearly miserable one? She can’t seem to handle the reality that her child’s admission wasn’t based on his own merits? That seems pretty miserable to me. Idk. I don’t really understand her desperate self-delusions but whatever.

The only delusional people here are the one's that continue to say the same thing over and over and over again. Everyone gets it, you want to pile onto the lady on an anonymous forum and denigrate her family and child because you have an opinion you feel is virtuous. Get a life people, sit down and STFU, you have far surpassed the pro legacy people in your vitriol and lack of class.

You are saying “sit down and STFU” and complaining about vitriol and lack of class at the same time. You’ve got as many self-delusions as the crazy legacy mom.