@Sue22 i only assumed that @nynycasino1234 probably donated only because he/she used the term “developmental”, which is a term used for children/descendants of long-time, generous donors that are considered differently than from the rest of the regular admissions.
Are there any former admissions counselors that want to give their opinion on this?
@impoppin My English command is not that great as I think in my mother tongue and translate, I have improved, but still lack command
@lookingforward can these large donations be broken up over a long period of time?
How much are you planning to give?
Everyone knows there are developmental and/or other discretionary admits.
What most don’t get is that the kids still need to be able to manage the academics and that social scene- or no admit.
Why are you doubting us?
@nynycasino1234 your good. I guess when you used the term “developmental”, that threw me off for a while but no worries.
I have heard that $250,000 will get your kids into a certain #15-20 school. Kids need to have passable stats/resumes and family will certainly be full pay with additional (but much smaller) donations expected while the kids are there. All unofficial. Nothing anyone in power will ever admit to. But have heard it from multiple sources. With “holistic” admissions, how would anyone know?
Yes, they usually are. Most folks who can give, say, 20 mil, have strong financial savvy and know how to reap tax and other financial benefits.
Why are you asking? If you had this sort of money, you’d already know more or have contacts and advisors who do. Yoh wouldn’t be asking on an anon forum.
From some of your questions, I suspect you’re international. But if you’re thinking of buying your (or your kid’s) way in, you need to know the tippy tops can be suspicious of intent. A recent issue with a donor hoping for Harvard illustrates this.
@lookingforward I’m not doubting anyone. The nature of this is issue is just very controversial. In addition to that, I’m literally get two different answers on this post. The internet will have even more answers. What’s even more strange is the fact that most of these top-tier schools will not even be up front about this issue, but will involve themselves in it behind close doors. I’m not trying to sound defensive, but I’m just wandering how these people are able to donate so much. Barely anyone is going to donate 20 million because no one has that kind of money.
@lookingforward what do you mean “why are you asking”? Are you trying to start something?
Of course they acknowledge this. It’s just, ime, a teeny number who get this consideration. Do you expect adcoms to bring this up in an info session?
Top college investment accounts are full of an eye popping number of mega donors, some running back decades or into prior centuries. Some alums, some just interested.
One of the things about uber-mega wealth is how many of them are donating large sums to various entities. Sometimes for tax reasons, sometimes for seeming like a big deal with the name on a building, and for reasons in-between.
What would I be “trying to start” by asking why you’re interested? Is it just idle curiosity?
Anyway, we’ve given you some answers.
@lookingforward quick question, “ime”? “bfd”?
@lookingforward just idle curiosity
Because of the nature of it, schools wouldn’t want to talk about it. And you want to set dollar amounts sufficiently high that you do not get too many people taking the schools up on the unofficial offer.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
IME = “In My Experience”
BFD = A term that the user has been here long enough to know that it can’t be used here. The polite version is “Big Deal.”
@lookingforward When you say “20 mil” do you mean 20,000 or 20 million?
“When you say “20 mil” do you mean 20,000 or 20 million?”
$20,000 doesn’t pay for your first semester at many US universities. 20 mil is $20,000,000.
“I’m just wandering how these people are able to donate so much.”
Frequently this would be someone who started a highly successful company. For example, for a while one of the top donors at Stanford was one of the founders of Hewlett Packard (I forget which of the two was the big donor).
@DadTwoGirls did they donate all at once or with smaller amounts over a period of time? This is regarding the hp and Stanford example you noted.
@impoppin If we can donate that much, we mortals will not be here to look for need based aid for our kids, people who knows do not say anything, who knows nothing, talk; I am guilty of it too.