Private School Donations

[Quickfast RP]

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I have heard alot of stories about private schools such as NYU, UoP, USC, Tufts, and UB accepting under-qualified people (Like 2.7 GPA with 21 DAT's or 3.3 GPA with 18 DAT's or even 2.7 GPA with 17 DAT's) with hefty $50,000+ donations. I heard this is actually even more solidifed if u have a relative that is an Alumni of that dental school and they vouch and make the donation for you. What do you guys think/know about this and do you think there are good amount of seats open to these people? It really holds us normal middle class family students please give me your input.

Thanks,
Quickfast RP

 

[doc toothache]

I have heard alot of stories about private schools such as NYU, UoP, USC, Tufts, and UB accepting under-qualified people (Like 2.7 GPA with 21 DAT's or 3.3 GPA with 18 DAT's or even 2.7 GPA with 17 DAT's) with hefty $50,000+ donations. I heard this is actually even more solidifed if u have a relative that is an Alumni of that dental school and they vouch and make the donation for you. What do you guys think/know about this and do you think there are good amount of seats open to these people? It really holds us normal middle class family students please give me your input.

Why not put $50K+ on the line and let us know how you fared.

 

[Quickfast RP]

Why not put $50K+ on the line and let us know how you fared.

Haha I wish that was me but I cant afford that nor do I know anyone, its what I have heard from many pre-dental students that do have these contacts and was curious to what everyone thought

 

[lhtran07]

I think the bigger question is whether or not the legacy and 50k will get them to pass their boards and graduate from d-school.

 

[link517]

You must know a lot of idiots

 

[Quickfast RP]

lol true legacy and all of that and maybe they are idiots, but the question still stands do these kind of things happen? I mean you can comment and a thousand things wrong it and i can name a thousand things too but the question is do these sorts of things happen?

 

[lhtran07]

Your guess is as good as mine. Connections might get you an interview but an acceptance is another thing.

You're not going to find confirmation on the net of somebody getting in by donating to the school. Everything is hearsay....if you want to find out if it really happens or not, I'd suggest asking people at the school.

 

[link517]

lol true legacy and all of that and maybe they are idiots, but the question still stands do these kind of things happen? I mean you can comment and a thousand things wrong it and i can name a thousand things too but the question is do these sorts of things happen?

Well your the one who has heard "ALOT" of stories? ha

 

[doc toothache]

The admission of a student based on donation/legacy may happen but for some it is as believable as the stories about the cupachabra.

 

[theilleztpaki]

LOL.. u mean the Chupacabra.?? not the CUPacabra...lol

The admission of a student based on donation/legacy may happen but for some it is as believable as the stories about the cupacabra.

 

[doc toothache]

LOL.. u mean the Chupacabra.?? not the CUPacabra...lol

Actually cupachabra.

 

[theilleztpaki]

if ur thinking about the monster, then its Chupacabra.. google it

Actually cupachabra.

 

[Hordel]

My father graduated from a dental school and has donated a good amount of money to that school over the years. He also has a good connection with one of the individuals high on the admissions board for another school. I applied to both of these schools, one even as a resident, and have yet to even be requested for an interview. And this isn't totally due to poor states, GPA 5.9, science GPA 3.61 and DAT 18,19,19 (yeah I know its not the best). So, as far as I am concerned this is ludicrous.

If you need further convincing, one of my fathers close friends graduated from the same dental school and had a son apply to this dental school a few years ago. My father's friend really wanted his son to get in, so he offered an individual with in the admissions committee to make a sizable donation (not sure how big) if his son got in. This was done in a very passive and joking manner, after all this is not necessarily P.C.. In then end his son was able to make it into dental school, but not at the school his father went to, and he made it based on him and NOT a donation. So, as far as I am concerned this is a total farce and holds no real truth. Has it happened? Probably. Does it happen very often? Hell no!

 

[AlwaysImproving]

My father graduated from a dental school and has donated a good amount of money to that school over the years. He also has a good connection with one of the individuals high on the admissions board for another school. I applied to both of these schools, one even as a resident, and have yet to even be requested for an interview. And this isn't totally due to poor states, GPA 5.9, science GPA 3.61 and DAT 18,19,19 (yeah I know its not the best). So, as far as I am concerned this is ludicrous.

If you need further convincing, one of my fathers close friends graduated from the same dental school and had a son apply to this dental school a few years ago. My father's friend really wanted his son to get in, so he offered an individual with in the admissions committee to make a sizable donation (not sure how big) if his son got in. This was done in a very passive and joking manner, after all this is not necessarily P.C.. In then end his son was able to make it into dental school, but not at the school his father went to, and he made it based on him and NOT a donation. So, as far as I am concerned this is a total farce and holds no real truth. Has it happened? Probably. Does it happen very often? Hell no!

Is that really a 5.9?

 

[drpsuedonym]

Is that really a 5.9?

Of course it is.

 

[craigory]

I'm sure if your father donated a new wing to the school's hospital or a couple of buildings it couldn't hurt your application... But I really doubt a $50,000 donation is getting anyone in.

You always hear these kind of stories. They're either about legacies getting in because of who they know or what their families contributed. What is always funny to me is that usually the people who spread this kind of tale around are the people who never could get in to dental school... It's a lot easier on your pride and self-esteem if you didn't get in because some "rich kid" bought his way into your seat rather than accepting that you just didn't make the cut... It's just like the people who think there's some big URM conspiracy keeping them out year after year.

Is there a kernel of truth to it? I'm sure somewhere at some point in time it has happened. Is it something that anyone should waste their time worrying about? I really doubt it.

 

[Kokugeka Shiro]

Of course you can do this. You can buy your way into ANYTHING, anywhere. Economic forces (e.g. big contributions) ultimately have the power to overcome any arbitrary 'morals' that a person or institution may profess to have. Even most of our legislation are indirect byproducts of the shaping forces of lobbyists who financially control lawmakers.

The fact is that the vast majority of dental applicants have nowhere near the means to effect any change this way, so it's not a big factor. In other industries and for other positions, the stakes and players are bigger and more numerous, and you'd really have no chance. But get good grades and stay out of jail and you will have a fine chance at dental school.