<p>Do endowments really play all that large of a role in admissions? Does a legacy applicant become much more appealing if money has been given? How much money? Would giving the money immediately preceding a son/daughter's application be taken the wrong (or right) way? Discuss here.</p>
<p>A lot of $$$ can help. For Ivy you are talking in the millions.</p>
<p>What about a school with a relatively weaker endowment? Like a Georgetown or a Tufts?</p>
<p>Giving a modest amount of money immediately before an app is submitted/reviewed is highly unlikely to even be noticed by the Admissions Office.</p>
<p>Every school seems to have its own approach to the value of a legacy. Regarding contributions: if they enter at all, I agree that megabucks would need to be involved OR a history of regular giving (ie, making the list of alums who have given every year) <em>might</em> be noted.</p>
<p>However, I can speak from personal experience that regular, consistent modest giving over a period of 20+ years in amounts of $500 or less(Stanford) did not an Admit make for my S. Who was a good applicant, but not in the top 25% of their SATs.</p>
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Do endowments really play all that large of a role in admissions? Does a legacy applicant become much more appealing if money has been given? How much money?
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<p>It would have to be enough to shift you from being a LEGACY admit to being a DEVELOPMENTAL admit. </p>
<p>Major 7 figure bucks, a building or endowing a chair kind of money would be considered starters ;)</p>
<p>It takes a lot of cash to make a difference in admissions. And, if you've got that kind of cash and you want to donate to your kid's future alma mater, then by all means have a frank discussion with someone in the development office. But don't "waste" your measley ten or twenty grand. The other thing to keep in mind is that a big donation can get the Johnny admitted, but it can't necessarily keep him in school. I heard of a developmental admit recently who was accepted over the strong protests of the Admissions office. Within a year, she had flunked out.</p>