The above are probably the same screaming about meritocracy. No way others were more qualified than their child.

Talk about buying your kid a spot.

Sure. Make it so that universities that use such anti-meritocratic criteria do not receive federal funding for research and student loans.

Taxpayers shouldn't subsidize a school's high tuition and prestige when these schools won't even give them a fair shot at admissions. No more double-dipping.

I mean schools are quick to talk about family when asking for money but the tune changes when admitting your child? If schools want to move away from legacies that should probably start changing alumni outreach but they don’t want to risk cutting off that money supply.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You mean legacies are more likely to go to a school they've heard about their whole lives and are more likely to donate a school that has been part of the family for generations? Shocking.

This is us. 3rd generation at the same Ivy, grandparent established scholarship.

Well - great job grandparent.

The latter generations...."meh"

Anonymous wrote:Fine and dandy but if DC really, really wanted to go, was qualified, and got turned down flat, do you believe that would have no effect on how you or your spouse would feel about the alma mater?

Nope - it would have no effect on our giving at all. In fact, we'd would rather they remove any legacy preferences. We see no reason why they should get a leg up over anyone else just because we went there (and even less because we donate). Kids already have so many advantages from living in a two parent educated family with resources to support their education and interests. They will do perfectly fine where they choose to go and where they are accepted.

Just curious about those who donate - how much do you donate if you don't mind sharing. It never occurred to me to donate to my alma mater. Will the school look at my (lack of) donations if/when my child eventually applies (17 years from now)?

Anonymous wrote:You mean legacies are more likely to go to a school they've heard about their whole lives and are more likely to donate a school that has been part of the family for generations? Shocking.

This is us. 3rd generation at the same Ivy, grandparent established scholarship.

Fine and dandy but if DC really, really wanted to go, was qualified, and got turned down flat, do you believe that would have no effect on how you or your spouse would feel about the alma mater?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They express it in reverse.

Alumni are liable to stop donating if their children are rejected.

My spouse and I attended the same college as did my father and his brother. We give every year and have since graduation, and we would stop if DS is rejected. We'd continue if DS declined, but I'd see a rejection as the school severing the link.

My spouse and I both attended the same school and we donate every year - our children aren't even applying - they don't want to go. We will still donate because we are supporting the school, not paying so that we will be given special favors for our children.

Anonymous wrote:They express it in reverse.

Alumni are liable to stop donating if their children are rejected.

My spouse and I attended the same college as did my father and his brother. We give every year and have since graduation, and we would stop if DS is rejected. We'd continue if DS declined, but I'd see a rejection as the school severing the link.

Anonymous wrote:They express it in reverse.

Alumni are liable to stop donating if their children are rejected.

+1. This

They express it in reverse.

Alumni are liable to stop donating if their children are rejected.

Duh.

Why do they bother with studies that confirm studies?

You mean legacies are more likely to go to a school they've heard about their whole lives and are more likely to donate a school that has been part of the family for generations? Shocking.

A study of 16 years of admissions data at one anonymous top college reveals that alumni children are more likely to matriculate and donate:
https://hechingerreport.org/proof-points-why-elite-colleges-cant-give-up-legacy-admissions/