The linked Crimson article says 17.5%. Whenever this topic comes up the metrics are all over the map.
College is a BUISINESS. They see that legacies (especially double and triple legacies) are more likely to donate to the shool when they graduate. Also, legacies are more likely to attend (Higher yield for the college). Also, legacies are more likely to be wealthy (which means they are less likely to need financial aid). On the contrary to what colleges have you thinking, their endowments are not unlimited money; they cannot just pay for anyone to attend their school. Having a certain amount of kids who they predict will be able to pay full price is necessary to support the school financially.
fair one way, unfair other way, people like whining
As diversity passes to the next generation, not all legacies are going to be “wealthy and white.” This sort of change takes time.
You cannot read how Harvard and Yale (just to name two) discuss leadership and assume it’s all about donating big sums. Contrary to public opinion, not all alums, even of top colleges, are wealthy. They engage in lots of ways that give a more modest income.
Nor can you assume RD legacies necessarily yield more, except to certain colleges. Lots of legacies around the country would forego Mom’s or Dad’s alma mater, if a tippy top came through.
My experience with a child as a legacy is similar to @TheGreyKing. My husband and I are not big donors to our college and have only donated very small sums on and off over the years, $25 here and $50 there. Our daughter ended up really wanting to attend our alma mater, so she applied ED and got in. She was a strong candidate anyway and her friend with very similar stats and ECs, but not a legacy, was accepted in the RD round so I don’t think legacy was the deciding factor.
I do think that legacy plays a role in wanting to maintain a good relationship with alums. We are still friends with fellow alums and if a lot of us were having our otherwise qualified kids being rejected, the general feeling in our friend group toward our alma mater would probably diminish. Along with the diminished feelings, there would also likely be diminished contributions.
I think it is useless to consider this question since you either have or don’t have legacy. If you have legacy, why not take advantage? On the other hand being jealous of those who have legacy is certainly not helping you to get in. My way of looking at this is to ignore it since I don’t have any legacy.
Not jealous, just curious. Nonetheless, thank you for your input.