<p>Wondering if you all have any stories to share of little "awww" moments from colleges in their trail to impress/make an impression. Things that in the realm of making the decision, won't probably "make" the decision, but make you say "wow, nice touch!"</p>
<p>My son interviewed at a small liberal arts college a couple of weeks ago for a full tuition scholarship. He received his notice at home Friday saying he has indeed received the full scholarship - it came via ups with a letter from the president of the college personalized to my S - talked about his activities, included quotes from his letters of recommendations - wow, nice. That made my son feel good. :)</p>
<p>Today I arrive at work. I had left work early Friday afternoon. There is a mailing tube on my desk - the type that you normally get posters in. I often will get mailed posters at my job, so didn't think too much of it and almost tossed it aside. Instead, I opened it - inside was a beautiful foil wrapped yellow rose (one of the school's colors) and a hand written note from the head of admissions saying "congratulations, S has received a full tuition scholarship...blah, blah" - wow, gotta admit that touched my heart a bit! (good thing I decided to open it!)</p>
<p>I work at a medical college/large campus - it obviously took a little effort (at least a phone call or two!) to find out exactly where to send it to me. Not sure if S will accept this offer (THAT'S another thread to create!) but have to admit, it was a sweet touch.</p>
<p>So, maybe this is the norm. Maybe not. Have any "touches/warm fuzzies" experiences to share???</p>
<p>My acceptance letter from Georgetown Law included a handwritten note at the bottom, referencing something I’d talked about in my personal statement. At the time, I think they did this for everyone, but it was very nice.</p>
<p>DD attended asummer academic program after ninth grade at a small Midwest college. Every year after that, she received a birthday card that was signed by the entire admissions staff. She did not apply there, but we all enjoyed the birthday cards.</p>
<p>I had the same reaction re: medical care when my mother told me about the exquisite 3’ high floral arrangement in the lobby of the hospital where she had surgery a couple weeks ago.</p>
<p>Well yeah, the “token” was not necessary $$$ spent, but only a few would have gone out, so I don’t think it made a dent in the budget. Surely we can find a lot of things - the free tshirts during visits, pens, mailings, lunches, free cafeteria meals to thousands who come through campuses during the year and on and on…</p>
<p>Flowers seem weird to me. U of Chicago has been showering my son with stuff since they accepted him EA. Holiday card with a note about his essay, calendar with pictures of the campus, and most recently the course catalog…</p>
<p>Indiana University sent kids who applied early and earned their highest automatic scholarship a very nice quality red and white (school colors, duh) striped winter neck scarf that says ACHIEVE on it. The mailing said they’d “earned their stripes”. </p>
<p>I thought this was great, but I didn’t think my daughter would wear it. Turns out she loved it and wore it the next day to school (and a lot since!). </p>
<p>Of course they are constantly also invited to one thing or another (a local get together just recently, ball games, etc.). They have a little contest too…where you can send in a photo of yourself with a scarf and win a $100 visa card. And they sent personalized Christmas postcards with the student’s name written in the snow on the front.</p>
<p>As for the expense, this college is actively trying to (and succeeding in) attracting higher and higher quality students. Trying to keep 'em down on the farm. So these were only sent to top scholly students. They actually won some kind of award for this promotion. AND, their SAT scores are going up up up. Good return on investment.</p>
<p>I remember getting a letter and an e-mail from my second choice school for undergrad when I was prepping graduate admission applications inviting for me to apply there as well. It actually got me to go on their webpage and double check the research being done there (sadly none of it was really what I wanted to do).</p>
<p>I always thought the nicest touches when dealing with a school didn’t necessarily come from the admissions department itself. The schools I visited that had a much more friendly and happy vibe tended to have a lot more students randomly walk up and offer directions and/or advice.</p>
<p>abasket…I have never heard of anything like your experience as a PARENT getting a rose…and to your place of work no less. Either I am naive and unaware or that is very unusual! Congrats to your son too.</p>
<p>USC has been pushing hard the last few years to get the cream of the crop. There are many actvities associated with their big scholarship interviews. It includes dinners with the family of the scholarship finalist, however many they have in tow (well, there probably is a limit but these dinners are big deals.)</p>
<p>When D & I went to visit Birmingham Southern, we stopped at the gate to ask where to park. The guard told us and as we pulled into the area to park, I realized there was a nicely printed reserved sign in the spot I was about to pull into. So I said “oops” and went to drive a little further to another open space. When we looked at that one, it was reserved too…but it had my D’s name on it! Not a reason to pick that school, but it was indicative of how they’ve treated my D throughout the entire process, from the first time she met her area rep at a college fair through the app process. They even had disposable cameras available to BSC logos on the cardboard around it so that people could take pictures during their visit if they had forgotten a camera (or were having technical difficulties with the one they brought.)</p>