<p>My mom saw today on national TV a guy that works for Yale admissions that came onto the news and admitted that up to 40% of the seats at yale, harvard, and the other super elite schools are reserved for the rich, the people with power, and alumni who give lots of $ to these colleges.</p>
<p>Seriously, what is this bull ****? Whats going on? I thought Harvard and all these schools "say" their admissions are "need blind." Then why are they doing stuff like this?</p>
<p>Yeah I heard that too. Sorry I don't have an explanation as to if it's true or why so maybe I shouldn't be writing back to you, but what can we do about it? No one truly knows what the truth is-only the ADCOMS themselves. We can just apply and ride their ride-hang on tight!</p>
<p>Yea, I'm hearing that all their acceptance ratios are false, because they say its around 10%, but when 40% of the seats are reserved already, the chance for "normal students" gets reduced to even less (1/20 or 1/30)</p>
<p>No. "Developmental admits" (i.e., admitted largely in the expectation that they'll give tons of money) are maybe two or three percent, tops, while alumni kids are 15% or so. Keep in mind that quite a few of these people are exceptionally qualified and would have gotten in even if they weren't special status.</p>
<p>It's also worth remembering that the majority of HYP students receive financial aid.</p>