Searching for an Ivy League Egg or Sperm Donor: Insight for Intended Parents

One of our clients' more common requests is their desire to find an Ivy League egg donor. Our first question is, ‘Why is this important to you.’

The answers usually vary but share one common thread: Many of our intended parents are highly accomplished, driven people with advanced degrees from impressive universities, including Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, and MIT. We fully understand that it’s human instinct to hope to find an egg donor who reminds you of yourself, your background, and your ambitions.

This deep-seated desire is one of the reasons we ask intended parents to create a list of donor characteristics that matter to them. If education is at the top of your list, this is understandable and a quality our case managers know how to build searches around, as long as intended parents are on the same page. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re starting a donor search with an Ivy League donor in mind. 

Ivy League donors are hard to find.

We are experts in finding the best candidates for our clients, but we caution that finding an Ivy League donor isn't always easy.

Our case managers often note that the pool of potential donors expands when intended parents become open to finding a ‘smart donor’ or someone who matches their level of education or schooling, no matter the school they attended. 

Be honest about all your expectations. 

The more honest you are about your short list, the better! There is no such thing as being too blunt in saying, “I want a smart donor” or “We want someone who matches an Ivy League donor.” This context can help your case manager better understand what you’re looking for in a donor and what you’re hoping for in a future child. 

We have found that egg donation is time-consuming, and many individuals pursuing advanced degrees at an Ivy League school may not have the bandwidth to donate eggs. However, this does not mean that we cannot get as close as possible to what you are looking for. 

Remain open to a new, shared 'true north.' 

Being honest with your case manager can help you find your way toward an exciting and realistic new goal. At Donor Concierge, when intended parents come to us with specific criteria, we listen, but we also interpret. Most parents simply want an egg donor whose looks and background fit well into their family. Through our extensive search, we can help you find your ideal donor. 

Knowing that, regardless of its complexity, you want an Ivy League donor helps us set a new, shared expectation with your case manager. It comes with its own amendments to your donor process. For instance, the necessary tailored approach will require a deeper commitment of time and resources.

In addition, egg donors set their own compensation, and it’s not unusual for women with an Ivy League degree to request upward of $15,000 or substantially more for their donor egg cycle. Women with impressive academic achievements tend to do extensive research on the egg donation process and what other young women similar to themselves have received. On top of the compensation, many Ivy League-educated young women are interested in an additional benefit such as egg freezing for themselves or a donation to a charity.

Trust Donor Concierge to find the right egg donor for you.

Each donor search involves a give and take, but it’s our job to make that process as seamless as possible. Searching for an Ivy League donor involves added layers and investments, but we are willing to push forward or forge a new path together, depending on what makes the most sense for you and your growing family.

If you're ready to take that next step to finding your ideal egg donor, contact us online or call us at (415) 663-6097.