So I applied RD to Oberlin about two weeks ago, and today I received emails from department heads of the two majors that I indicated interest in on my application. Now, I am aware that they are probably mass emails sent to everyone who indicated those majors, but I’m just curious about the reason of doing so after I applied. I’ve read plenty of articles about colleges advertising to rack up application numbers and thus drive down acceptance rates, but what would the purpose of “advertising” be after the application is already sent in?
The fact is that all colleges are in the PR business. They benefit from you thinking well of them even if you don’t end up going there. By reaching out to you they 1) make it more likely that you will matriculate there if accepted and 2) generate at least a touch of good will if you go elsewhere.
I’m not kidding when I say that when my D was looking at schools I steered her away from schools who hadn’t treated me well 30 years ago when I applied whereas the one who denied me but was very nice about it I have good feelings towards and encouraged her to apply to.