<p>My father wants me to go to the ivy-leage so bad... so that he is thinking of making donations. How much will be needed? $1 million? Do you think the grade will matter? I was thinking of asking the colleges directly... but don't have the courage to do so. will they be happy to see my email asking such a question?</p>
<p>One million will be gladly accepted but that’s not enough to get you in. Some schools. Not an Ivy. The full pay parents will be billed $200K in four years. Your dad’s “donation” isn’t that impressive in that context.</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>I’m just an average student… I don’t think I have high GPA. less than 4.0 … I have a lot of volunteer service hours… im participated in orchestra, sport, school embassador, medical magnet program, few clubs (being a secretary and board member… etc.), reporter at church… and yeah… Im planning to take SAT II (spanish, bio, us history, math II c) . IF i do exceptionally well on the SATs… and donate more? (how much :o do you think will be needed?) will it get me in?</p>
<p>Have your dad or his attorney call the college’s development office. Report back what they find out.</p>
<p>Don’t feed the ■■■■■.</p>
<p>As a college counselor, I was asked this question several times during my career by genuine candidates. One million can certainly be enough. Colleges know there may well be more where that came from and are not just looking at the initial gift. Read the book ‘The Price Of Admission’ to see how this works.</p>
<p>The Development office is always happy to take calls from those wishing to donate.</p>
<p>I don’t think a million dollar donation will get a person into a top college. However, for a mid-level college, it will get you a private room with breakfast served every morning by the college president.</p>
<p>Just being able to pay full price without asking for any financial aid will be a plus for mid-level colleges that are not truly need-blind. For large numbers of private colleges, being able to pay full sticker price will help get a person off a waiting list, vs. people with more need don’t get called from the wait list.</p>
<p>I would think that the Ivies would be very reluctant to provide a direct quid-pro-quo for a donation. First you donate, then you get a big gold star on your application and MAYBE that will be enough. Seems like a risky bet unless you have stats that are in the running (bottom 25%).</p>
<p>Personally, I’d rather use the $1 million to start a small venture capital firm and seek out the best innovative minds at the various Ivies as project partners who could also teach me (I’d select the ones who come from poor families who long ago learned to live within a tight budget).</p>