Chapter 3 Buying a Degree

Private donations are a core pillar and standard practice in the American higher education system; Mu Xin knew this as soon as he started school.

There are many benefits to this, and beyond the obvious ones, there are quite a few unspoken rules.

The most important one is that major donors or their children can graduate smoothly while also obtaining excellent grades.

Of course, this also depends on the thickness of your wallet.

Anyway, Mu Xin knew of a foreign classmate in his same year whose father donated 5 million USD.

He came to school directly by helicopter, and his dormitory was arranged to be ridiculously large.

As for grades, he was excellent whether he attended class or not; after all, 5 million USD was not spent in vain.

After lunch, Mu Xin took a short nap, then arrived at the President's office at 2:50 PM sharp.

Because he had an appointment in advance and was discussing a donation project, everyone was very enthusiastic, and the way was clear all the way.

President Archie Rockwell was the university president, an old man in his sixties who looked very friendly, though a bit bald.

"President Archie Rockwell, I have recently earned some money in virtual currency using the knowledge the school taught me."

"To thank the school, I would like to donate a portion of the funds. I don't know how to go about this?" Mu Xin said straight to the point.

The reason of making money from virtual currency was the most appropriate one; after all, it is very difficult to investigate this kind of thing.

As long as the IRS doesn't come to check, this money has a legitimate source, so this reason is foolproof.

As for whether the President believed it, Mu Xin believed he would definitely believe it; nobody refuses money, right?

President Archie Rockwell was stunned for more than half a second, then a smile immediately piled up on his face. He didn't care where the money from the young man in front of him came from, as long as it was donated to the school, he would accept it.

As a private university, besides tuition, private donations are the main income for Miami University Oxford Campus.

The global economy has been bad in recent years, and the number of overseas students has decreased, so the school is in urgent need of funds to maintain operations.

The appearance of Mu Xin was simply a timely rain!

"I wonder how much you plan to donate to the school?" President Archie Rockwell asked with a smile.

There was no greed for money in his tone, only appreciation and gratification for a student's success.

Mu Xin sighed inwardly that this old man was worthy of being a president; this emotional control definitely had the potential for an Oscar.

"I want to know what privileges I can get after the donation." Mu Xin smiled and got straight to the point.

President Archie Rockwell was stunned again. Why did the young man in front of him not play by the rules? It was too direct. However, he immediately gathered his mood and said:

"You may have some misunderstandings about personal donations. Wanting to obtain privileges through donations is not…"

"I think 5 million USD is a good number, don't you think?" Mu Xin directly interrupted President Archie Rockwell.

"Then what privileges do you want?" President Archie Rockwell immediately forgot what he had just said and asked in return.

"What if it's 10 million USD?" Mu Xin continued to talk to himself.

"As long as your request is not too excessive, the school…" At this moment, the corners of President Archie Rockwell's mouth were uncontrollably curling upwards.

"Then let's make it 12 million USD." Mu Xin looked straight at President Archie Rockwell and said.

"The school can satisfy all your requirements!" President Archie Rockwell said decisively, his eyes as firm as if he were going to the battlefield!

Making money is not shameful!

Mu Xin smiled. He actually still liked the rebellious look of President Archie Rockwell just now.

Who would have thought that 12 million USD would make President Archie Rockwell kneel directly? It really had no challenge!

"Out of my personal gratitude, I will donate 1 million USD separately to you as research funding, hoping that your research can have new progress." Mu Xin added lightly.

At this moment, one could see that President Archie Rockwell's expression was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart.

Donating to the school is one thing, but donating to him for research is another.

At this moment, the more he looked at Mu Xin, the more pleasing he became. This twenty-something young man was also too good at handling things.

He didn't say he was giving him 1 million USD directly, but achieved this goal through research funding, directly legalizing this money.

As for how he would use this 1 million USD of research funding, that was a matter between him and Mu Xin.

At this moment, President Archie Rockwell just felt that Mu Xin was really a genius, and at the same time, he sighed that it was no wonder China's development was unstoppable.

"Then when do you think the donation funds can arrive?" President Archie Rockwell asked, suppressing his inner excitement.

"Now."

After Mu Xin finished speaking, he directly took out the check he had prepared long ago, and wrote it down in less than a minute.

"I don't need to do anything for the next steps, right?" Mu Xin handed the two JP Morgan Chase checks to President Archie Rockwell and smiled.

"That is natural, that is natural." President Archie Rockwell took the checks with both hands and said respectfully.

Oxford Town is very small. From the time Mu Xin wrote the check to the time President Archie Rockwell received the money, it took less than 15 minutes.

Money only counts when it is in hand.

The 12 million USD in the school's account and the 1 million USD in his private account would not lie. President Archie Rockwell's mood was exploding with happiness.

This sum of money was the largest donation the school had received in recent years, and even in the school's two-hundred-year history, it ranked high.

Except for the Ivy League and those top-ranked schools, a donation of several million USD is already very considerable for most schools.

"I wonder what requirements you have?" President Archie Rockwell asked.

Taking money to get things done is an iron rule everywhere in the world.

"I want to graduate with a GPA of no less than 3.9. The process is not important, I want this result."

"Also, I need a dormitory that is large enough and quiet and comfortable enough." Mu Xin said.

?

Just this?

President Archie Rockwell was stunned again. The young man in front of him threw out 13 million USD just for these two conditions?

He felt that this money was a bit hot to handle... This money wouldn't be dirty money, would it?

"Are you sure you only have these requirements? I can help you coordinate other requirements too." President Archie Rockwell asked tentatively.

"Just these two requirements, but I hope I can move into my new dormitory today." Mu Xin waved his hand and said.

"No problem!" President Archie Rockwell replied immediately.

Just as President Archie Rockwell's voice fell, Mu Xin's phone rang. The caller was the person who arranged the group meeting in the morning.

"You help me answer it, I don't want to go to that group meeting." Mu Xin handed the phone to President Archie Rockwell.

With the President coming forward, everything was not a problem.

After chatting with President Archie Rockwell for a few words, Mu Xin got up and said goodbye.

Before 6 o'clock, Mu Xin moved into his new dormitory. He didn't even know that the school had such an ostentatious dormitory.

He occupied about 180 square meters by himself, like a high-end apartment.

Sitting on the soft sofa, Mu Xin just felt that it was indeed not a waste of money!

The next morning, strictly speaking, the next noon, Mu Xin was woken up by the ringing of his phone.

He reached out but couldn't touch the phone, and looked at the bedside in a daze. It turned out that the bed was too wide.

A 2.4-meter-wide big bed is indeed a bit luxurious for one person to sleep in.

"Hello." Mu Xin answered the phone in a daze.

"Hello Mr. Mu, I am Tobias Williams, the person in charge of the Oxford Town Water Purification Company."

"I am very sorry to disturb you on Sunday morning. I don't know if you have time today or tomorrow?"

"I want to discuss with you matters related to water purification in Oxford Town."