IIRC, it's openly admitted to be a consideration.
by doolinbanjos (2019-03-18 13:05:19)

In reply to: I doubt that there is any appreciable difference in quali-  posted by 1NDGal

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I highly doubt that admissions would consider it to be a negative consideration. Thus, if it is openly admitted to be consideration, it is a positive consideration.

Whether or not there is an appreciable difference in qualifications, I guess I can't answer.

As I allude to below, I think what you have to remember is
by Tex Francisco  (2019-03-18 13:41:54)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

that there is almost no difference between the last 500-1000 kids that get in and the first 3000-5000 who don't quite get in. When you're comparing otherwise indistinguishable applicants, I suspect it's a big advantage. It's not that legacies get in with lesser qualifications. It's that for those whose qualifications would otherwise make their admission a coin flip, they get to play with a weighted coin.

I think it still gets to the same place.
by doolinbanjos  (2019-03-18 14:45:16)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

You need to be higher than the middle of the pack (of admitted students) if you are not a legacy (or athlete or other favored class).