The Egg Donor's Guide to Getting Your Donor Application Accepted

Don't stress – follow these 5 actionable tips for getting accepted by the clinic, getting noticed by Intended Parents, and ultimately – getting matched for your first egg donor cycle.

1. Take a Deep Breath…

And don't let the number of questions or the amount of information overwhelm you. Make sure that you understand what is being asked of you, and what information you may need to research or request from family members. Pretend you are an Intended Parent searching for their ideal egg donor—what are the kinds of things you would like to see & read about that would help you bond with an egg donor's profile?

2. Be Truthful…

And please do not lie or leave out any information even if you are worried it may reflect negatively on you. You will be asked for a detailed medical and family history and to be prepared to discuss this data with a genetic counselor down the road. What might be a concern for one Intended Parent – say, family members with substance abuse or cancer – may not scare off another. Folks looking to build their family via egg donation understand that not everyone is perfect.

3. Get Chatty…

And be prepared to devote time & energy to completing your application. One-word answers are certainly easier to write than sentences, but they won't help you connect with Intended Parents. Be authentic and express your personality by letting them know what makes you tick, as well as the stuff that challenges you. Here is your opportunity to highlight accomplishments, while being real and bringing the human element to your online profile. Don't be afraid to express yourself.

4. Paint a Picture…

And stand out from others by submitting a range of images that capture your essence. Include quality photos from infancy, through childhood, to present day. These snapshots provide Intended Parents with the opportunity to see, and to appreciate, your beauty and uniqueness. Submit a profile picture that depicts your natural look without too much makeup and definitely, NO FILTERS. Get creative by including photos showing off your personality, hobbies, pets – the whole spectrum of what makes you…YOU. While it's quick and easy to snap selfies in the car, your photo choice is the single most important aspect of your profile, at least by first glance. So spend time and effort by choosing quality pictures that proves you are taking this process seriously.

5. Review before hitting "Submit…"

And make certain you've answer all the questions; don't leave anything blank. Write in full sentences, double check your spelling and grammar, read your responses out loud to make sure they make sense and are thoughtful replies to the question being asked. Providing a complete profile of yourself will help potential parents identify with you and make it more likely that you'll be chosen as their egg donor.

Above all else, remember that you are offering the most precious gift of all and there is no greater reward than the satisfaction that comes with helping others create their families!

Jenna Lake

Jenna Lake is co-founder of EDC Nexus, a unique registry developed to support Intended Parents, Egg Donors and Donor-Conceived Offspring — identified or de-identified — through a private online database providing medical updates and a mode of communication.

First and foremost, Jenna is the proud mother to a teenage, egg donor-conceived son. Her journey through third party reproduction directly launched a 15+ year career overseeing one of the largest clinic-led egg donor programs in the United States. After matching more than 3,000 cycles, and witnessing the ever-increasing demand for donor-conceived families to connect with their genetic and biological stories (and donors to stay informed of their contribution), Jenna helped to create a secure means of exchanging vital information and ensuring greater peace-of-mind on many fronts.

Currently, Jenna also serves as Operations Manager at Egg Donor Connect. She is a past board member of Parents via Egg Donation, former consultant for a surrogate agency, and the author of several articles focusing on Egg Donors and Intended Parents. Jenna can be reached through her LinkedIn profile, or via email at jenna@eggdonorconnect.com or coordinators@edcnexus.com.

Related Becoming an Egg Donor Articles to Guide Your Journey

“Honesty is the Best Policy” - 7 Reasons to be Truthful as an Egg Donor

For both prospective parents and donors, egg donation is an amazing journey filled with emotions and expectations. However, it is essential to recognize that this path relies heavily on trust and honesty. Being truthful on an egg donor application – and during the screening process – helps to solidify the health, safety, and mental well-being of everyone. In this blog, we will explore important reasons why an egg donor should be as transparent and forthright as possible every step of the way.

The Process of Becoming an Egg Donor: A Step By Step Guide

When considering if you should become an egg donor, our step-by-step guide will help you understand how this all comes together. While it's worth mentioning that every program differs with respect to their acceptance criteria, testing requirements, and matching times, the process is similar enough that you'll have an overview of what takes place from your initial inquiry to your egg retrieval (and beyond).

8 Questions for Egg Donors to Ask A Clinic or Agency

Are you applying to be an Egg Donor? 8 Questions you – as the applicant – should ask an Egg Donor Program.

Requirements for Becoming an Egg Donor

This article covers the key requirements to becoming an egg donor.