Some say Meg Whitman did that at her alma mater for her sons that weren't as bright as her. She bought a building!

While it doesn't qybe with American Sensitivities, it should be noted that a lot of these donations actually fund the attendance of far more kids who otherwise couldn't have gone, as well as research, disease cures, etc.

I would rather have 1 almost qualified rich kid, and 9 superstar kids who couldn't otherwise go, than have 10 full fare kids who were taken as the best of the 'full fare' lot.

Needs blind is a luxury that was made possible by very big gifts that might well have gone to art museums or symphonies instead of the public good of education absent the belief on the donors part that it might also benefit their family.

Food for thought if one were trying to do the most good for the most people, instead of grousing about the one kid who got 'hosed' because of broader institutional goals.

Yes, if it's enough money. You can't afford to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Price of Admission talked about people buying their ways into Brown and Duke (not an Ivy, before someone jumps on me, but still selective). It seemed like a few particularly egregious cases, but who knows, maybe this goes on more extensively and even if Dad isn't a Beatle or a novelist.

I do know of someone who bought their student's admission to Duke. It took a 7 figure "donation."

was this student within the range of duke to begin with or was it an egregious admission?

Anonymous wrote:The Price of Admission talked about people buying their ways into Brown and Duke (not an Ivy, before someone jumps on me, but still selective). It seemed like a few particularly egregious cases, but who knows, maybe this goes on more extensively and even if Dad isn't a Beatle or a novelist.

I do know of someone who bought their student's admission to Duke. It took a 7 figure "donation."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes but not for purely incompetent and unqualified students.

It works best for the student that is in the 25-35th percentile of stats - so obviously can do the work but would never ever ever get in unless seriously hooked.

being a development case is just as much of a hook as recruited for a varsity sport.

I was going to add this. Most, if not all kids of the super wealthy go to top high schools where the workload is heavy and there are some standards. The kids don't need to be rocket scientists but chances are they are not totally dumb and can most likely keep up with the work at an Ivy. As they say, the hardest part is getting in!

yep. there are a truckload of kids in that range at publics and privates across the country in that 'can easily do well but unhooked' range.

Anonymous wrote:All of this also assumes a family connection to the school. An unconnected person suddenly wanting to give multiple millions to a school they didn't attend isn't common.

Interesting story on TV over the weekend about the MIT football team. It noted that 17 of the players were class valedictorians and 9 had 2400 SATs. So while we all complain about athletic recruits it's important to remember that many of them, as well as legacy kids, are fully qualified.

MIT is not D1.

recruiting at MIT is way different than the Ivy's.

In fact MIT recruiting is way different top NESCAC schools that put out really strong teams.

Anonymous wrote:yes but not for purely incompetent and unqualified students.

It works best for the student that is in the 25-35th percentile of stats - so obviously can do the work but would never ever ever get in unless seriously hooked.

being a development case is just as much of a hook as recruited for a varsity sport.

I was going to add this. Most, if not all kids of the super wealthy go to top high schools where the workload is heavy and there are some standards. The kids don't need to be rocket scientists but chances are they are not totally dumb and can most likely keep up with the work at an Ivy. As they say, the hardest part is getting in!

All of this also assumes a family connection to the school. An unconnected person suddenly wanting to give multiple millions to a school they didn't attend isn't common.

Interesting story on TV over the weekend about the MIT football team. It noted that 17 of the players were class valedictorians and 9 had 2400 SATs. So while we all complain about athletic recruits it's important to remember that many of them, as well as legacy kids, are fully qualified.

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes for Harvard but we're talking 7 figures.

Nope, eight figures. A few million doesn't even move the needle. I would expect that the cost of an endowed chair is the minimum buy in.

7 would move the needle on someone who is in the 25th-50th percentile range of stats but isn't hooked or URM otherwise.

Anonymous wrote:Yes for Harvard but we're talking 7 figures.

Nope, eight figures. A few million doesn't even move the needle. I would expect that the cost of an endowed chair is the minimum buy in.

yes but not for purely incompetent and unqualified students.

It works best for the student that is in the 25-35th percentile of stats - so obviously can do the work but would never ever ever get in unless seriously hooked.

being a development case is just as much of a hook as recruited for a varsity sport.

Yes for Harvard but we're talking 7 figures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brown was never considered academically on par with other Ivies, so it started to differentiate itself by admitting the children of the wealthy and socially connected. If you think of getting a good seat at a NYC restaurant by slipping the maitre d' some large bills, and then apply that approach to a university, you end up with Brown.

Were you rejected from Brown? It's really bothering you.

No. See 19:50 for corroboration. It's not exactly a secret in Ivy circles that Brown is more willing than other Ivies to admit the highest bidders. If you think that cheapens the value of a Brown degree, take it up with the administration.