Do small donations matter one way or the other

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The legacies I see get in are, aside from mega donors, either double legacies (both parents) or kids of super volunteers. I’m convinced the high level volunteering matters at my alma mater.

Give me example of this sort of volunteer work, please. Are you talking about alum volunteers at college events?

[Anonymous]

volunteering board members, involved as mentors and leadership with the school you got your degree from. But either way they are looking for your donations. The more engaged you are, the more likely to donate. They will start to notice if you attend events, they will assess your wealth and decide if you have potential to give and play a bigger role with the school.

[Anonymous]

SEC grad. 36K in two football season ticket donations over the past 24 years has resulted in instate tuition. Not a formal program but the result of a couple phone calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The legacies I see get in are, aside from mega donors, either double legacies (both parents) or kids of super volunteers. I’m convinced the high level volunteering matters at my alma mater.

Give me example of this sort of volunteer work, please. Are you talking about alum volunteers at college events?

Alumni class president
Recruiter who hires/offers internships to current students
Plan/run class reunions
Run significant (7 figure plus) fundraising drives
Attract corporate donors

[Anonymous]

I have never donated a cent and my kid was admitted to my Ivy alma mater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never donated a cent and my kid was admitted to my Ivy alma mater.

Was this admit in the last 3-4 years? Is your DC extraordinary in some way? I am sure you are right but this seems odd to me. With so many qualified candidates, I would totally chose the one who has a track record of giving or one without any connection to the school over an alumni’s kid whose parent never gave.

[Anonymous]

Yes. This year. Super smart. Accomplished.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have never donated a cent and my kid was admitted to my Ivy alma mater.

ED though right? Legacy only counts ED.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. I work in higher ed philanthropy, and at least at big-dollar-fundraising institutions, it will absolutely not hurt you in admissions.

What does this mean? It's slightly helpful to give at small levels or completely meaningless?

It will not hurt OP’s kid in admissions if they never give. And giving small amounts will not help.