My parents are pretty wealthy. My top choice for university happens to be my dad’s alma matter, which over the past 10 or so years and he has donated somewhere in between $200,000 and $300,000. He has served on boards at the university on and off for about the same amount of time. He is an executive at a pretty well known financial company and makes about 5 million a year. At a recent visit, we had dinner with someone who works at the development office who my dad has gotten to know over the years. This got me thinking that it was possible that they might consider me a potential development admit, but I am not sure if the caliber of donation qualifies me as such. After some further thought, I became conflicted because I don’t know if I want to be admitted somewhere, even if it is my dream school, simply because my parents donated/are capable of donating a lot of money.
Do you think I would be considered a development admit and what should I do if I am. (The university is on par with Ivy colleges and I have a high GPA, rigorous curriculum, and 1530 on the SAT so I think I am a pretty competitive applicant)
Don’t feel guilty, that’s one of the worst emotions to have (along with fear or so I’ve read). Take advantage of your legacy and development and your dad’s involvement with the university. Anybody in your position will do the same thing, and you’re a competitive applicant. It’s a win-win. Good luck.
If you had dinner with the development office, you are for certain a potential development admit. Had I won PowerBall earlier this week, my DD would have been a development admit too. Thanks to your family’s financial help, a lot of other kids were able to get an excellent education. Run with it, and good luck to you!
If you think this school is right for you, and if you get in, use that privilige to help others. Reach out and make friends not just with people just like you, but people of all economic backgrounds.
It sounds like your stats put you in the range of getting into the school on your own. If your dad’s situation turns an acceptance into more of a sure thing then count your blessings. Thank your dad, tell him you recognize and appreciate what he is doing for you, and let him know that you plan to make him proud.
Assuming you attend that college, show everyone that they made the right decision in accepting you by making the most of your four years there in every possible way – academically, involvement on campus, socially etc.
I don’t know what is the dilemma here, applying as a regular and as a development are not mutually exclusive. Your legacy/development status can only help you.
But the schools that are “on par with Ivies” and consider legacy in admission are only two: Stanford, Duke and Chicago. If its Stanford a $200k-$300k donation may not move the needle. I think your real dilemma is how much additional it would take to be a shoo-in developmental admit and only the insiders can tell you the answer.