How much do you have to donate to a school in order for it to increase your acceptance chance?

[motz]

---

Members do not see this ad.

$100k gift to the medical school, i.e. a bronze plaque on a pillar of a building? Was thinking this might be preferable to attending a school's SMP to increase the chance of admissions.

 

[Heday]

a cool million should get your foot in the door.

 

[mehc012]

More than you'd spend on some decent MCAT prep and tuition for postbacc/SMP as needed.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

I don't know anything about SMP's, but is there a state school post bacc option anywhere near you?

 

[mehc012]

I don't know anything about SMP's, but is there a state school post bacc option anywhere near you?

They don't need either...GPA is decent for an app.
Though, if they did choose to delay, DIY postbacc with upper levels would pry be the most helpful.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Attention to all schools:

I will donate a large, bronze sculpture in the likeness of whomever you choose (within 20 years of my graduation) if you accept me within the next week.

TY

 

[Psai]

100k is two years of tuition, they'll take it from their students no matter what.

 

[mcloaf]

100k is two years of tuition, they'll take it from their students no matter what.

 

[deleted407021]

Bronze plaque on a building? Pfft! Donate the building.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

They don't need either...GPA is decent for an app.
Though, if they did choose to delay, DIY postbacc with upper levels would pry be the most helpful.

I didn't know what SMP's were until 2 days ago. Are those more helpful for the specific school that's offering the program?

 

[NickNaylor]

I worked at the big children's hospital in Dallas one summer, and as part of that we had a lunch meeting with the development department. Since I was curious, I asked them how much it would take to receiving a naming gift for something like a hospital wing (not a building, just one floor/department/etc.). They said about $500k.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mehc012]

I didn't know what SMP's were until 2 days ago. Are those more helpful for the specific school that's offering the program?

If your GPA is low enough (think: can't be raised into low-acceptable range with more coursework), an SMP is a 'back door' into medicine. However, as with many shortcuts, there is a risk...mess up an SMP, you're probably done.
That being said, if you go the SMP route, it does help significantly for your app in general (especially, as you said, the school you're at...not only did you 'do med school to show you can do med school, you did their med school to show you can succeed there).

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

If your GPA is low enough (think: can't be raised into low-acceptable range with more coursework), an SMP is a 'back door' into medicine. However, as with many shortcuts, there is a risk...mess up an SMP, you're probably done.
That being said, if you go the SMP route, it does help significantly for your app in general (especially, as you said, the school you're at...not only did you 'do med school to show you can do med school, you did their med school to show you can succeed there).

Ah, I see. So it's like an expensive med school tryout.

 

[mehc012]

Ah, I see. So it's like an expensive med school tryout.

Yup. You essentially take the classes you would see in your M1 year (sometimes with med students, sometimes not). Do well, and you've proven what GPA is supposed to show - that you can perform well enough academically to survive preclinicals. Do poorly...and you've done the opposite.
Plus it's expensive, takes a year, and is applicable exactly nowhere else, ever, if you choose not to /are unable to go to med school. You're better off with a postbacc, if that is an option for you, despite a good postbacc being less impressive than a good SMP.

 

[Law2Doc]

I know someone whose family name is on a med school wing and he still didn't get in. So $100k barely gets you a school tour -- you aren't even in the right zip code.

There was a fiasco some years back about a wealthy family that created an endowment in exchange for a residency spot, and after the backlash and bad press the program got I suspect most programs/schools tread very carefully in this area. Meaning you'd pretty much have to have competitive stats to go along with your millions.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Yup. You essentially take the classes you would see in your M1 year (sometimes with med students, sometimes not). Do well, and you've proven what GPA is supposed to show - that you can perform well enough academically to survive preclinicals. Do poorly...and you've done the opposite.
Plus it's expensive, takes a year, and is applicable exactly nowhere else, ever, if you choose not to /are unable to go to med school. You're better off with a postbacc, if that is an option for you, despite a good postbacc being less impressive than a good SMP.

Also, I heard that post bacc grades (although included in the cumulative) are listed separately, which can give someone the chance to demonstrate improved academic proficiency. I guess like everything, it's a different case for each person. But the SMP sounds a little too much like showing up to spring training (for a fee) to make an mlb roster. Although, that does work out for some

 

[mehc012]

Also, I heard that post bacc grades (although included in the cumulative) are listed separately, which can give someone the chance to demonstrate improved academic proficiency. I guess like everything, it's a different case for each person. But the SMP sounds a little too much like showing up to spring training (for a fee) to make an mlb roster. Although, that does work out for some

That's actually a good parallel...you have to put everything on hold, including work, and put 100% effort while competing against those who already made the cut...without a guaranteed return on the investment. If it doesn't work out, you're left a year out of your job, a fair amount in debt, etc.

It is true that postbacc GPA is listed separately.
One mistake that many people make when looking at postbaccs is assuming that 'official' postbaccs are the only option, and thus, if they have already taken the prereqs, they can't do a postbacc. That's bull...postbacc just means 'any undergrad courses taken after graduation.' You can just sign up for them at whatever nearby institution allows non-degree-seeking students!

 

[Mad Jack]

You're looking at a cool 7 figures minimum. And that won't even get you a guarantee, just maybe a little bit of a boost if the school feels more cash might come their way in the future. There's also the chance it could backfire, as many Deans would fear losing their job over the resulting scandal if they were painted as having essentially been bribed to admit you.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

That's actually a good parallel...you have to put everything on hold, including work, and put 100% effort while competing against those who already made the cut...without a guaranteed return on the investment. If it doesn't work out, you're left a year out of your job, a fair amount in debt, etc.

It is true that postbacc GPA is listed separately.
One mistake that many people make when looking at postbaccs is assuming that 'official' postbaccs are the only option, and thus, if they have already taken the prereqs, they can't do a postbacc. That's bull...postbacc just means 'any undergrad courses taken after graduation.' You can just sign up for them at whatever nearby institution allows non-degree-seeking students!

My school has this option and it really works out well for many.

 

[Reckoner]

About tree fiddy (million)

 

[motz]

I didn't know what SMP's were until 2 days ago. Are those more helpful for the specific school that's offering the program?

Well, they're 40-50k in tuition, and after living expenses, you're looking at 70-80k. Tufts' MBS has an 82k COA. Now, factor in loans that accrue interest, and it's easily 130k after a few years @ 6-7% interest.

 

[motz]

Bronze plaque on a building? Pfft! Donate the building.

I worked in a research hospital that specialized in cancer. Literally every pillar in our lab had a plaque on it that was seen by the same 3-4 people for the past 10 years. We had doorways named after people, an employee kitchen dedicated to someone, etc. These cost like 20-30k. It's nuts!

 

[Goro]

I'd say $250k ought to do it.

$100k gift to the medical school, i.e. a bronze plaque on a pillar of a building? Was thinking this might be preferable to attending a school's SMP to increase the chance of admissions.

 

[Mad Jack]

About tree fiddy (million)

Only if this is the admission director.

 

[Mad Jack]

I'd say $250k ought to do it.

Should we make checks out to Goro?

 

[mehc012]

I worked in a research hospital that specialized in cancer. Literally every pillar in our lab had a plaque on it that was seen by the same 3-4 people for the past 10 years. We had doorways named after people, an employee kitchen dedicated to someone, etc. These cost like 20-30k. It's nuts!

My dining hall/dorm literally had a "John Doe Memorial Toilet". It was one of only 2 toilets available to the public in the building, too (each room had a private bathroom for the dorm part.)

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

About tree fiddy (million)

That million just snuck up on me like a ghost. I guess that's how they get you.

 

[correctlywrong]

Two dollars and 15 cents... no, wait, that is how much they are paying Tank Girl to spy on you.

I think that any donation given with a tacit understanding that a quid pro quo was expected would get you in serious trouble. Use the funds to pay for your mission trips to hold HIV babies instead.

 

[sazerac]

I personally donated a significant sum to a medical school (medicine will be my second career). It endows some long-term research that is important to me.

A decade later when I was applying to medical schools, I deliberately did not apply to the one that received my endowment, because I didn't think it would be appropriate. I wanted to get in on my own merits and avoid any sense of impropriety for either party.

I did mention the endowment as one of my 15 activities, though. I have no idea if it helped me because it showed my generosity, or if it harmed me because it was seen as tacky or maybe an implicit bribe. In the end, I didn't really give a shyt. It was an important and significant activity of mine, so I listed it.

Nobody discussed it at my interviews, but I was accepted.

 

[masaraksh]

I worked at the big children's hospital in Dallas one summer, and as part of that we had a lunch meeting with the development department. Since I was curious, I asked them how much it would take to receiving a naming gift for something like a hospital wing (not a building, just one floor/department/etc.). They said about $500k.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Naylor Wing
or Naylor Hall

nice!

 

[sazerac]

I worked at the big children's hospital in Dallas one summer, and as part of that we had a lunch meeting with the development department. Since I was curious, I asked them how much it would take to receiving a naming gift for something like a hospital wing (not a building, just one floor/department/etc.). They said about $500k.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wonder how much you need to donate to get the cafeteria to name a food item after you.

Imagine looking at the menu and seeing "Naylor Wings", or maybe "Cole(slaw) on a Roll"!