<p>You're right the applicant pools have increased, but child #1 graduated in '07, so I'm familiar with the relatively current applicant pool size as a means of comparison (as a parent board member, I talked with school administrators on many occasions). The concept of "buying your way in" is not one that I support and in no way were there any admission guarantees given. That being said, I am well aware that the type of schools we are talking about did give consideration to family school support (in all the areas I stated) and legacy. Those are some of the elements that build a school community and those are important concepts woven into the history of these schools. I'm in no way implying that these considerations should overide the fundementals of the basic evaluation of the applicant (grades, SSATs,ECs,Recs,etc.), but to say they should be given no consideration is not what the schools want parents to believe. Like I said, child #2 was accepted by several of this school's direct peers, which demonstrates the competitiveness of his/her application and qualifications. My concern is that these schools need to be careful of how their new policies are implemented, or they risk the breakdown of having an ongoing relationship with supportive families.</p>
<p>You are right prepdad. As a development professional I know there is a fine line there on what we say/promise donors. The "legacy" you are building for you family is for the child you that is attending the school, and for general future generations - not necessarily yours. I'm sure the school you select will be honored to have such a supportive family as yours.</p>
<p>Thanks Linda S. I'm glad to have received your feedback.</p>
<p>prepdad - I also bet that the development department at the school of your first child is likely not too thirlled with admissions at the moment. It's tough.</p>