Thank you, I hope so too 
Hm, I guess none of the MIT readers of CC has weighed in on this question?
Small follow up: a friend told me that their family also got the same letter.
MIT students are egalitarian. They don’t pay attention to legacy threads. 
I was hoping one of the MIT employees would weigh in, but I think you are right @texaspg
How does MIT know about your legacy status to send these letters in the first place? Is it on the application?
I question the wisdom in sending such a letter now. Are you sure it’s legit and not a joke from one of your son’s nerd friends?
It looks pretty official and gives real emails for questions. Though my son does have the kind of nerdy friends who would do hoaxes, yes. 
In answer to the other question, the app asks for all of: MIT connections, parents’ colleges, and parents’ employers. So it was hardly a secret.
We don’t send likely or unlikely letters. And we don’t pay attention to legacy.
(sorry for the delayed response – busy in committee!)
@MITChris - thank you for the post, but can you clarify the nature of the letter sent to alumni/ae parents in that case please, that emphasized how competitive admissions has become? Was it sent to all alumni/ae families with an applicant? It did not state on the letter that it had been sent to all alumni/ae families.
I just asked Stu – since I hadn’t seen the letter myself – and he said it’s sent as an acknowledgment to our alumni (who are part of the extended MIT family) just to thank them for the application and for raising great kids. So yes, all alumni families with an applicant, and no hidden message
@MITChris - thank you!!
Perhaps send along the message that the letter seems like an “unlikely” i.e. “hi guys, we love you but remember it’s really really hard to get in and we don’t do legacy”. Would you please ask Stu if next time the letter could go out after “Part 1” and with a notation that all alum families are receiving the letter? I hope it is not overly entitled for me to make that suggestion.
@fretfulmother not out of place, I’ll pass it on.
Thank you!!
@fretfulmother, you picked the perfect user name!
But who [else] will think of the children?! @renaissancedad
Having picked my own username, I think I have more self-awareness than you unkindly imply, @OMPursuit
^ I think you have wonderful self awareness.
Your son sounds like he is tremendously accomplished, and that is clearly getting recognized by adcoms, regardless of what eventually happens with MIT. Congratulations.
@renaissancedad - thank you! You are very kind to say so. And you are right that we have been incredibly fortunate. Lots of kids with fabulous potential do not necessarily luck out with the college process. I think CC can be a great resource to figure it all out and get information and support!
p.s. Thank you to @OMPursuit who explained offlist that no offense was meant and it was just another Simpsons reference!!!