It is ridiculous to buy your kid's way in. Don't you want your child at the school that is the best fit for him? Why have him struggle somewhere that doesn't think they can accommodate your child's learning style?

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea, but I am so glad I don't have to think about such nonsense. I'd prefer sending my child to a school at which he got in on his own merits. Did you make a big donation prior to getting your first kid in?

No, not at all. But I was surprised DC did get in, considering how many really good and capable kids don't get into these schools. It seems like a lottery in some respects. No reason my younger one shouldn't get in, but no compelling reason that she should either.

My wonderful kids are similar to many of the other wonderful kids we have seen go through this process and end up not admitted to the school of their (or their parents' choice). If it is in our means to help their chances, we would. But since we cannot give 5 figures or more, I will just not worry about it and see how it goes.

I have no idea, but I am so glad I don't have to think about such nonsense. I'd prefer sending my child to a school at which he got in on his own merits. Did you make a big donation prior to getting your first kid in?

Sidwell notorious for not taking the sibling...

I think Sidwell or such would laugh at the idea that a few thousand could ensure sibling preference. I would bet there are families giving $25-$50K a year that might not get younger siblings in from what I hear. If only it were that easy to donate for a couple years...

I agree with other PPs that you should see if your child is a good candidate instead of trying to buy a space for your DC.

Anonymous wrote:At our 2nd tier private, I think $25,000 would do it as that puts you into the top level of donors (it only ranges up to $150K or so except for capital campaigns at our school). But then we have a strong sibling preference anyway. They would expect bigger donations once you have 2 kids at the school.

I was going to say the same thing. Why increase donation now when they will expect more later. Get the kid some tutoring with that money

Anonymous wrote:At our 2nd tier private, I think $25,000 would do it as that puts you into the top level of donors (it only ranges up to $150K or so except for capital campaigns at our school). But then we have a strong sibling preference anyway. They would expect bigger donations once you have 2 kids at the school.

wow, that is a lot. I was thinking 3,000-5,000. I might start with the gap between tuition and pupil funding. Give AT least that much (it was 800 at my school). Then maybe double or triple it, and add a little more just to be safe.

You just want to show your commitment to the school, but don't much give more than you can reasonably sustain after sibling is admitted. So if you give 4,000, you should be able to give 3,000 on a yearly basis.

BTW, I am just making all this up. It is what I would do, but I don't know anything.

What do you think the average donation is for full pay families?

At our 2nd tier private, I think $25,000 would do it as that puts you into the top level of donors (it only ranges up to $150K or so except for capital campaigns at our school). But then we have a strong sibling preference anyway. They would expect bigger donations once you have 2 kids at the school.

Anonymous wrote:I would guess that in the $3 million to $5 million range is when it starts making a difference on admissions.

It doesn't take that much. I know of someone who got into medical school at Georgetown after his family gave $1 million (had previously been rejected, decision was reverse). I'm sure a five figure gift would get you extra consideration.

A development case at the selective privates is a family that will give a 7 figure donation. If you aren't in that league, be satisfied with the general sibling preference.

I would guess that in the $3 million to $5 million range is when it starts making a difference on admissions.

I suggest you spend your money on tutoring your kid so that he or she will be a better candidate.

Give what you're comfortable with to the Annual Fund because you want to support your school, not because you think you'll be buying a place for a younger sibling.

I have seen multiple posts about donating to the Annual Fund and how schools care the most about having a high percentage of families participate versus the absolute dollar amount.

We will definitely donate, but we're wondering if there was a general sense of how much to give if you want to help your chances to get a younger sibling into a school with a low acceptance rate. We like to spread our donation money around to multiple good causes, but could "pool" to give to our school. But I'm not sure if, even pooled, it would be enough to help admissions.