<p>Hey guys, this is my first post but I have been skimming over CC for about a year now, and I finally decided to register and all that fun stuff.</p>
<h2>So, I applied to Wes RD and got this interesting letter today, dated "January 31, 2005."</h2>
<p>It has my name printed and says:</p>
<p>"As those of us on the admission staff sit down to read completed applications, I want to touch base and acknowledge your interest in Wesleyan. Given your family history and connection to the University, we are particulatly interested in your candidacy.
"While we are reading applications- getting to know you and other candidates- I hope you will continue to enhance your knowledge of Wesleyan and all it has to offer you. 'Your' (in italics) experience at Wesleyan would largely be what you would make of it- the power of Wesleyan's curriculum is in its range and flexibility.
"Again, we appreciate your interest in Wesleyan. If any questions remain or if we can assist you in your exploration of Wesleyan, do not hesitate to be in touch.
Sincerely,
(actual signature here.... not printed)
Nancy Hargrave Meislahn</p>
<h2>Dean of Admission and Financial Aid"</h2>
<p>So I'm trying not to overthink this...... BUT, is this one of those 'early notice of acceptance' (without being accepted before April 1st) letter-type things?
I have a strong academic record and my tests fall within the Wes range, so I wouldn't be extremely surprised if I got in...
Anyone with an alum relation who also got this? What does it mean?</p>
<p>Even though I got accepted to Wes ED1, I applied to Yale before I found out. Because my dad went to Yale, I got a letter from them promising that they would seemingly take extra special care of my application - whatever that means. It seems like this is similar... they want to be sure they make their alumni happy by treating their children fairly.</p>
<p>I wouldn't take it as an early acceptance (my grades probably would NOT have gotten me into Yale, despite them promising to give it a careful read), but instead, as a statement that they are taking your alumni connection into consideration, and thus have a very good chance of getting in.</p>
<p>I got one, too (a sibling of mine is a senior at Wes). If everyone with an alum connection got one, it means nothing (well, the legacy means something, but it wouldn't mean that they like you specifically), but if some people didn't, then I guess it's a good sign.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm not necessarily banking on Wes. I think it would be awesome if I got in and I would enroll if the aid was respectable, but I planned back-up. Haha.
I suppose we have no way whatsoever to find out if every legacy (my type of "connection") recieved this, or every relation to an alum (if they put that they had one on the application) recieved it.
The weirdest thing, that I can't get over, is the fact that it was signed by the dean of admissions and financial aid... I mean, she must incredibly busy... and it's quite obviously signed by her because the signature overlaps her printed name below it, and it's in blue.
It's just so strange... lol. I've talked to about five other people (my family and a friend) about it today and two thought it was a negative thing, two thought it means I got in, and one thought it means nothing....
Oy. Frustrating...</p>
<p>Kosuke, if you flip the letter over, the indention from her pen is visible on the back... lol.</p>
<p>Bjrwrh, The people that thought it was negative were my sister (who's 12) and my friend who isn't that smart... I think it's a positive thing, but I'm guessing they thought this line:
"Your experience at Wesleyan would largely be what you would make of it," is negative? Haha I don't know...
Bj- do you think the dean actually signed your letter or do you think it was printed?</p>
<p>It was really nice that my acceptance letter was personally signed... Because Wesleyan is a reasonably small school, they're able to do that. Yay personal attention in small liberal arts schools!</p>
<p>Haha.... Ummm, as far as admissions, they are not that small. But their high yield does allow them to accept a number of applicants close to the number they plan to enroll. Thus, Wes' dean doesn't have to sign that many applications...</p>
<p>I don't know, I mean, as you said it was signed in ink, but I don't think they read my application first. I don't know, I guess I'd like to believe that its a personal thing, but its probably just a close alumni/legacy form letter.</p>
<p>ap1687 -- i know you posted ages ago about the letter but i just read it to today.
I applied to Tufts and Brown (my mom went to Tufts and my dad went to Brown). I, and my parents, got letters from each school with a similar message about how happy they are that I wanted to continue the tradition blah blah. Didn't stop tufts from deferring me ED1.</p>
<p>Hmmmm interesting. I think I came to the conclusion that Wes was sending this letter to every kid of an alum who applied, or had a similar relation. But thank you for your input... I should find out from Wes some time this week... I'm quite excited although I kind of doubt I will get in, now... lol.</p>