<p>Does legacy really make that big a difference when looking at an applicant?</p>
<p>I don't think it makes that much of a difference. Considering most legacy applications apply ED, 38% were admitted overall. Chances are, most of these applicants are well qualified anyway. The overall ED acceptance rate is 34%.</p>
<p>I believe the deal at penn is that to get a benefit as legacy you must apply early.</p>
<p>Yes, but almost 50% get in ED/legacy, which is a significant, not minor, boost.</p>
<p>I was speaking to a prominent alumnus who did fundraising for his class reunion. He told me many of his classmates were upset that their high achieving children were rejected by Penn. I know another alumnus whose sons went to Northwestern and WUStL because they couldn't get into Penn.</p>
<p>Anecdotally, I've heard those stories, too. But by alumni council's own statistics, almost 50% of alumni children who apply early do get in. To me, the question is, which 50%? Has Penn really shifted their acceptance policies, or is it just a question of bad news travelling fast?</p>