I wrote that post quoted in #19. Yep. That happened some years ago. She ended up at Tufts and did very well. Why she was not accepted to Brown is anyone’s guess as she did get into a number of highly selective schools, but that Brown did not take her ED really deflated her and the family right from the onset of the process, as they did figure she’d get in. I think that the rejection discouraged her from applying to other ivies and the most selective schools as she felt she had somewhat of a boost at Brown with her brother there.
I’ve also known double parental legacies, which are the strongest tips/hooks get denied at other selective schools like Notre Dame, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Duke, UPenn, and the kids were such that had they been accepted even without the legacy, it would not have been surprises as they were well qualified in their own rights. It truly has become super selective. It used to be that a hook could get you in; it takes two strong hooks to get an accept at those schools in addition to having the numbers.
I know a younger sister of a current Brown student with exact same grades/scores/recs/essay quality, etc. She had amazing theater ECs (awards) and on paper is AA (although identifies white). She was denied RD last year and ended up at Harvard, with an amazing financial aid package.
That same year a girl “in the range” with a double legacy got denied ED.
I agree that it takes two strong hooks, and maybe some good old luck. Sibling legacy gives minimum boost, if any at all.
FYI for those who may be interested, this is the OP of this thread and my DD who has a sibling already attending Brown was accepted ED, somewhat to my surprise. I guess we’ll never know whether the sibling legacy played a significant role in her admission but I’m just glad she’ll be member of the class of 2020.
Congrats- for the admit, for trying to reason this, and for having her pursue her desire. First and foremost, her own app impressed them. She did it and can be proud.
Sibling legacy isn’t something formal. But it can represent how a kid knows the college, at a time when many applicants just don’t, are going on vague notions and media reports. It can also reflect the enrolled student’s satisfaction with the experience and awareness of the challenges. All good, for the second child, when her own app is solid.