"[My father] made it clear that he wanted me to go to Harvard," says another female undergraduate legacy.

After being admitted "My dad was happier than I was," she says.

Sometimes Harvard parents are even less subtle.

"I grew up thinking that Harvard was college, having barely heard about any other schools," says Elizabeth A. Lowenhaupt '97, who says her parents dressed her in Harvard apparel since she was a young child. Both were undergraduates at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges.

An Unfair Preference?

In a University that strives each year for a diverse class, some question whether legacies should be given preference at all, even when "all else is equal" between candidates.

But the anonymous male legacy argues otherwise.

"Pieces of the old Harvard tradition contribute to that diversity," he says.

Indeed, Harvard legacies bring tales of the past to their fellow classmates.

One legacy recounts how her great uncle told her that Adam's House was the "place to be" because it had so many entryways into which girls could be snuck easily. However, she says her great uncle also informed her that Radcliffe girls were not desirable.

Lewis has a different take on why legacies should be given preference.

"We ask our alums to do a lot for us," Lewis says. "Since World War II, we've relied on alums to recruit the best students and raise funds."

For this essential aid, accepting alumni's children if all else is equal is "small compensation," according to Lewis.

Despite the policy, Lewis says she spends much of her time talking to alumni who are upset about admissions decisions, but recognizes this as a small price to pay for the ultimate goal of maintaining the quality of the admitted class.

In the end, both admissions officers and legacies say they are comforted by the fact that legacies receive preference in the admissions procedure only when all else is equal. Still suspicions of nepotism will always be there.

"I was really glad to get accepted to Princeton too," says another Harvard legacy. "One likes to feel merit did it, not history."