<p>how much does having a parent as an alumni help? i know that if you and another kid are identical, but you have alumni parents, the school, especially ivies, pick you. </p>
<p>and i guess usually the admit rates for alum children, though still low, are higher?</p>
<p>Being the child of an alum, especially one that's donated money, certainly won't hurt. Legacy status is "considered" and, all other things being equal, the admit would probably go to the legacy. It certainly won't get you in if you're way underqualified.</p>
<p>As noted it is considered but it is considered a bit more at the ivies if you apply early decision (6 of the eight ivies have ED, Harvard and Yale do not), i.e., if they are going to give a favorable factor for legacy they want to be assured you will actually attend.</p>