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Your original point was that it's possible for anyone to buy a spot at Harvard, so they might as well put a price on it. That's obivously not true
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<p>My original point still stands. Just like in theory, anybody can buy a mansion if they had the money.</p>
<p>Now of course it is obviously true that most people don't have the money. However, I think that was implicit in my point. Anybody can buy anything that is being sold, as long as they have enough money. Whether you personally actually have the money to do that or not has nothing to do with the true point, which is that the item is being sold. Nobody finds it controversial in the least when a huge mansion goes on sale for hundreds of millions of dollars. So I don't see what is so controversial to say that a Harvard admissions spot is for sale for (at most) hundreds of millions of dollars. </p>
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And it's also not true that Harvard gives any weight whatsoever to financial contributions. They admit legacies because that develops faithful alumni networks, and builds good will. Harvard does not, however, need to sell itself for measly millions of dollars. Most colleges do. Harvard does not, and thus does not do "development admits".
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<p>Are you honestly trying to say that Harvard gives zero weight to any financial contributions? Please tell me that you didn't say that. </p>
<p>You also say that Harvard admits legacies to develop faithful alumni networks. But then ask the question - why develop faithful alumni networks? What's so good about that? The answer is money. Faithful alumni networks means more money being donated to Harvard. Let's be honest, if that wasn't true, then Harvard would have little interest in building faithful alumni networks. It's a tit-for-tat exchange.</p>
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Most colleges do. Harvard does not, and thus does not do "development admits".
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<p>If you really believe that Harvard does not do any development admits at all, hey, I got a bridge I'd like to sell you. We both know that they do. Are they high-priced development admits? Sure. But they are still development admits. </p>
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You think the Kennedys didn't try to pull that one with JFK Jr.?
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<p>But they DID pull it with JFK Sr! And RFK. And Ted Kennedy. Be honest. All of those guys got in not because of academics, but because of pull. </p>
<p>I agree that a few million won't make AS much difference in admissions as it would at a poor school. But if you really think that it makes no difference whatsoever, again, I got a bridge to sell you. </p>
<p>Look, why don't we all admit to what I think we all deep down know is the truth. Harvard admissions can and is warped by donations. Always has been, always will be. We can argue about how much it is warped by donations, but the fact is, it is warped to some degree.</p>