<p>DD was admitted to Reed College and will be visiting soon to help her decide. </p>
<p>We just received a nice "Parent to Parent" brochure from the admission office. The teaser is, "So your child is seriously considering Reed...here's your chance to learn about Reed directly from the parents of current students." Covering the 50 states + several international locations, it lists Reedie parents, their contact information and foreign languages spoken, as well as their child's HS and current year at Reed. These parents have volunteered to handle telephone or email questions from parents of prospectives. </p>
<p>This is such a thoughtful program to offer during this tough decision-making period. I'm sure if you call any admission office and ask for a parent "reference," they'll happily oblige. But I'm impressed with the fact they organized the information and initiated the outreach. </p>
<p>Has anyone else received something targeted to prospective parents that was helpful?</p>
<p>I haven’t received any mail but was very impressed by the showing of parents at an event for Hendrix. The college had current students and alum, plus parents of current students and past students. It was impressive that there was such a showing for an OOS school. One mom had a second child in the school. No better endorsement than that.</p>
<p>We got two printed directories, alums and parents, with names and contact information of those two groups of folks we could contact for information (Denison).</p>
<p>I was just thinking to ask if anyone else was being “wooed” by their prospective colleges. </p>
<p>We also received the directory from Denison, had a phone call from the alum who interviewed D for her college and I just received an email from another college describing a special program their school offered. </p>
<p>It does keep the mailbox from looking too empty these days I think it is useful if the college is able to point out some of the unique things about their school. Especially with college visits coming up soon, it helps me to be able to point out more things to keep in mind to D.</p>
<p>WashU sent a phone directory for parents nationwide who are willing to answer questions. I got a phone call at home last night from a local dad of a current WashU freshman! It was very helpful being able to get answers to last minute questions.</p>
<p>The family liasion put me in touch with a mom of a student in the obscure major that my son was interested in. It was very helpful to trade emails with her. S also emailed a student in the program for more info.</p>
<p>I’d prefer email to an unexpected phone call. Or, I would rather call someone on the list rather than have them call me.</p>
<p>After acceptance Knox was very good at giving info to parents - contacts who are parents of current students, online discussions about financial aid, etc. However, DD2 decided on a different school.</p>
<p>We came home today to a box from a local flower shop. It was a red rose from the local alumni group of the women’s college to which she has been accepted! </p>
<p>Since we arrived home before our D there was lots of speculation regarding the sender of the flowers. I jokingly said it was amazing what lengths colleges will go to in order to interest a student in their college. It was really quite nice, H and I are definitely on their side, D is keeping quiet to date.</p>
<p>Funny you should post this. Tonight we recieved an e-mail from a current student’s father offering his opinion about the College of Wooster. He spoke very highly of the college and said it compared comparably academically to two more prestigious colleges which his other children attended. He offered to answer any questions we might have. He lives in our community. </p>
<p>We also received a letter written by a mother of two students - one alum and his brother who is currently attending the school. This was more of a form letter but still very nicely written and encouraging. </p>
<p>On the schools website there is a page where parents answer questions about the school and a contact link if you want to ask them something else.</p>
<p>Thanks to all who shared their experiences. </p>
<p>It’s obviously a savvy move on colleges’ part, but it’s one that’s genuinely helpful. I’ve been engaged in delightful and informative email communication now with the parent of a current Reed student (who, coincidentally, happens to be a frequent CC poster!). I’ve really appreciated the one-on-one with someone who knows the ropes.</p>
<p>Received, yes, from several colleges. Helpful…questionable.<br>
We did get a couple of phone calls from parents, but generally we know what we need to know. I do think it’s a very smart bit of marketing though. After the last phone call I felt horrible my daughter won’t be there in the fall. The father was so proud both of his children attended the particular school, and obviously loved it.</p>
I think it is useful if the college is able to point out some of the unique things about their school. Especially with college visits coming up soon, it helps me to be able to point out more things to keep in mind to D.</p>