In the US, there are at least three ways this is handled: 1. Parents are known. Think Chelsea Clinton. 2. Parents are known social elites within the school's

In the US, there are at least three ways this is handled: 1. Parents are known. Think Chelsea Clinton. 2. Parents are known social elites within the school's geographic circle. Usually trustees will get involved, sometimes writing recommendations. 3. If parents are elites outside of the school social circle, this is often handled by folks on the local/regional admissions boards (the ones applicants interview with). They can provide a lot of insight in this area.