Publish paper as high schooler with the help of parents

Applying to College
1

I am working at the lab in one of the very prestigious University with extremely low acceptance rate.
One professor has a high school junior and he helped his own child and asked his colleague to be the co-author of this child.
Voila. within 6 months, this child will have poster presentation at the big international conference, and soon will publish his very first paper.

I do know this world is unfair and this may be pretty common thing but is it ok for a professor to help his/her own kid publishing paper as a high schooler? ? This is how legacy work?

Well, let’s be fair. I don’t say this child didn’t work at all.
I am sure he worked some, but I mean , there’s no way he can get this done without his parent’s big help.

On the other hand, I know there are some students who are not fortunate enough, but very motivated and eager to work, but not getting a chance like this, and I guess that’s why I am a little frustrated. After all, we all know life is not fair and there’s no problem parent’s teaching anything to their own kid.
I just would like to ask people’s opinion. Am I too naive?

Thank you for reading.

2

I would call it nepotism, not legacy. People love the idea of a pure meritocracy. In practice, it is impossible. Most parents use their resources to help their children. Some just have more ability to help. Some places have rules around nepotism, some don’t.

3

Yes, the father is using his resources/position to help his son - for better or worse that is not an unusual occurrence. Keep in mind that college Admission officers will see where the father works (which is on the college application) and where the son did his research and can reach their own conclusions.

IMO you should not worry about what other people’s kids are doing (unless it is illegal etc.).

4

The OP can re-ask the question under their original account. But since multiple accounts are not allowed, I am closing this thread.