Just found it in my transfer orientation bag, like you have to donate to get in etc. It’s not that expensive to get in (for the lover levels, my dad felt my school’s endowment is so low that even the president level felt like begging, though if we donate we won’t do it just kidding) and my parents were wondering what does it really do (like hidden privileges and does it do good to me)? Cause it’s pretty vague lmao. I’m international and due to covid they can’t fly here at the moment haha so meeting is not an option and even if they can their English isn’t good enough to understand most part of it.
Thanks.
This post is far to vague to give a decent response. Are you planning to transfer to a new college and wonder if donating to this will increase your chances of admission? Or have you already transferred and wonder how this could benefit you? My opinion…it won’t. So just ignore it.
Enjoy your transfer college…if you have transferred…whatever it is…and hope for the best. It’s really the best you can do.
And this
“ I’m international and due to covid they can’t fly here at the moment haha so meeting is not an option and even if they can their English isn’t good enough to understand most part of it.”
Well…YOU are here, right? You could ask this question.
I would just throw something like this in the trash if I saw it. Your parents do not need to belong to the parents organization. No one at the school will know if your parents join or not.
1 Like
This post is very difficult to understand. Is this just a rant? Or are you asking a question? Please clarify.
1 Like
Since the information was in your orientation packet, I’m going to assume you have been accepted and most likely are already on campus.
Many colleges ask for parent donations/contributions. These are optional and your parents should contribute only if it’s not a financial hardship and they are simply interested in further supporting the school’s initiatives. There could be some special events and acknowledgment of families who contribute, but overall it most likely won’t change your experience as a student.
1 Like
Forgive me if I’m reading too much into this, but since OP said they were international and I’m aware that in some countries there’s a “pay to play” system where an applicant may need to give a “donation” to get admitted or to receive certain privileges while enrolled at the college - perhaps that’s what OP/parents are thinking.
@AliciaSmith: pay to play only exists at the highest donation levels in the US - tens of millions of $$ - and that’s not something they would put in an orientation giveaway bag. So it’s safe to assume this is just a regular call for donations (typical of pretty much all colleges in the US) that you can either choose to ignore without any negative consequences - or contribute if you wish to support your new college (but don’t expect to receive any special benefits by doing so).
yep cause how they worded on the paper sounded so funny, like “parents club privilege etc.” and it’s an Ivy League school school so I was just wondering haha…
Yes I am already there (like transferred to the new school), it’s just the first time I have ever seen something like this, probably my old school had it but like I never paid attention, and they put very very fancy wordings to it
Thanks, that really clarifies stuff. My parents are just curious (me 2) and now when we talk we even joke about our school asking for money like this from us lol
1 Like
Congratulations on your achievements and enjoy your time at uni!
Well we might consider supporting my new college if we feel it has provided me the education that is worth 120%%%, since I am already paying in full. But yes I did come from a "pay to play"system and British boardings school where you donate/connect and you get some hidden “privileges”, or at least the headmaster knows you better etc. The brochure did mention parents’ privilege, annual parents’ meeting etc. and all the board stuff so we were just curious to an extent.
If your parents decide to donate to Barnard, don’t do it for any perceived benefits - have them do it because they truly would like to further the school based on your experiences there.
There’s no reason to join any parent organization.
Yes, in theory there will be “by invitation” events, guest lectures, etc., where they might rub shoulders with the college president, deans etc. - but in practice it won’t affect your own time at the college.
Actually, the college is “small” enough that you personally will often run into president Sian Beilock, deans, etc. - everyone is quite visible.
My daughter ended up with one of the deans as her adviser (as she was covering for someone temporarily), and frequently ran into Sian in her apartment building during Sophomore year.
After I saw how they were handling Covid and how they worked to support low-income students who had been depending on campus-work, I did end up making very modest donations each year — but never joined any formal group.