<p>hmom, that may be so. Then why do they keep calling ME when I have not given any single time?? :D</p>
<p>sooz perhaps in this economy they are targeting everyone.?.My law school has been ramping up efforts lately and I seem to be getting more and more phone calls and mailings. I wont give to them however, because for one I cant afford it and two when I was there and needed aid they gave me a whopping $2 grand in 3 years…So I dont feel like I owe them much…I did one time give a small donation. They told me I would be getting an alumni tshirt in the mail for my gift. (And I am talking it was a small small gift) Well needless to say they took my money…Im still waiting for the shirt…That was about 9 months ago…They can hold their breath waiting for any gifts from me…Im more worried about putting my kids through school now, thats my first and last priority…</p>
<p>MomfromPA…I don’t think the reason is due to the current economy. I have gotten such calls on a regular basis for many years. I think they attempt to contact everyone is my point. My older D’s school has called me more than once a year (during her entire four years there and now since she graduated this past May). Students are the callers. I understand the need to do this and don’t mind. However, I am unable to donate at this time and simply say that I’m still paying the loans for my D (who was a FA applicant) to attend this school and cannot at this time donate to raise funds. Maybe some day after we pay off their college loans. Both my kids are still in school and so I have to fund them first before helping others to attend. My alma mater also calls me every year to give money. Since I have to fund both my kids right now for college, I can’t give to my university too. I tell them that I give of my time as I am an alum interviewer and spend many hours each year doing that as a volunteer.</p>
<p>My S’s on campus job was as one of those callers. At his school, it seems everyone gets called but potential donors are categorized in different levels. I’m not sure at what point this categorizing occurs, maybe after the first donation. Anyway, newbie callers are given the lowest level of donors and the more experienced and successful callers are assigned the big $$ donors. We told S we knew he would be successful at this job because he has always been very good at callling and asking for money.;)</p>
<p>BTW-The student callers are the highest paid on campus jobs.</p>
<p>lol my-3-sons!</p>
<p>The college I do fundraising for has acknowledged to us that they expect far fewer and less generous gifts this year. Even those who still have money probably don’t have the income to offset a big donation this year.</p>
<p>Separate from how financial aid offices or development (fundraising) offices use this information (I have not useful comments on that),
Admission committees use parents occupation to place a students application and achievements in context. Frankly, parents occupations do give context about options and experiences available to each student. </p>
<p>For example, my children’s accomplishments are placed in the context that both of their parents are university professors. My children had no excuses for not taking advantage of various options available to them! Alternatively, if a student’s application is all about aspirations in music and arts but the family occupations are all business or science, this also reveals something about the student.</p>
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<p>My3sons…LOL! </p>
<p>Because it is a student who calls, I never rush them off or hang up. I listen and have a chat, even though I don’t give the money. The kids who call are always great.</p>
<p>ParAlum…I totally agree with your post #26. Colleges look at the context of the family upbringing in terms of what opportunities were available to the student. </p>
<p>When you mention about a kid going into the arts when neither parent is in the arts…LOL, that pertains to us. I have no clue where D2 got her talent. It ain’t from me! Nonetheless, the audition was the biggest factor in admissions. I’m glad my D made out fine considering we have no performing arts high schools in our state and more limited opportunities, but she still had plenty of experience and it worked out well.</p>