<p>I just got this HUGE package from harvard, for some reason (i didn't request it) that includes the 2007-8 Common App with their supplement. What are they trying to do? Get the whole world to apply so they can get their acceptance rate down to 1%??? Man, I am so glad I am not even considering Harvard... :)</p>
<p>Yes, I got that too. I felt generally insulted and annoyed because I figure that they send it to so many people, get them excited, then turn them away. I probably couldn't get in because my SAT scores are just too low (670CR/700M/780W). The same day, I received a letter from Princeton encouraging me to consider their school. Since I know both schools would turn me away, I consider their mailings kind of evil. I feel like writing them a letter or something, lol.</p>
<p>What a waste of paper. They should follow Stanford's lead and go online-app-only.</p>
<p>Hey! I want to <em>feel</em> special that I received a letter at Harvard. Even if it is evil, at least they recognize your insignificance. Does anybody know the criteria for receiving one?</p>
<p>It is based on a secret PSAT cutoff score and your self-reported GPA.</p>
<p>Harvard and Princeton want you because your high PSAT indicates you'll probably have a high SAT and GPA, so when they reject you, you'll help boost their applicants' SAT/GPA/admission %, so that they'll look better in USNWR rankings. Sad but true, to a point. Tons of other colleges do the same thing - WUSTL has literally sent me more than a dozen letters asking me to apply. Not surprisingly, WUSTL has very high average SATs.</p>
<p>I got the Harvard packet and Princeton letter on the same day, too. I'm not planning on applying to either.</p>
<p>Some university has sent me SO MANY LETTERS. I forget which one it is... I haven't gotten any more since the PSAT rush slowed down... but I remember being incredibly annoyed!</p>
<p>Yeah, it was probably WUSTL, they send me so much stuff. I also get a lot from Caltech. But I think that's because I sent an ACT test to them... This just goes to show how much of a scam the USNWR rankings are...</p>
<p>DS got the Harvard package and delighted in throwing it in the trash! He also got stuff from Princeton, WashU, Cornell, and athe military academies at around the same time. None of these are on his list.</p>
<p>Got one from St Mary with application. Still receive tons of stuff from University of Evansville(sp?).</p>
<p>Sort of annoying that they assume that you're applying there.</p>
<p>That's probably in part how they keep their acceptance rate so low -- by sending out apps that make the student think, "What the hell, might as well."</p>
<p>I asked for the Harvard app and it came 2 days later. day after i got princeton letter (but I am already on their mailing list!)</p>
<p>Yes...but it doesn't mean anything I guess.</p>
<p>too bad we can't all rally together, and like, refuse to apply to Harvard. imagine...a nationwide campaign that causes their status to plummit. ofcourse, it wouldn't work because a fraction would refuse involvement, and then figure they will have a better chance since the rest of us are boycotting or what not.</p>
<p>"What a waste of paper. They should follow Stanford's lead and go online-app-only."
i'm sure the administrators know the marketing and see the value of sending out.
perhaps that's why harvard is so successful is "shaping the brand"</p>
<p>Yeah I got the Harvard and Princeton stuff on the same day too. Maybe its an Ivy League conspiracy!</p>
<p>..i think it's because we're just on their mailing list haha</p>
<p>Heyy, don't dis Harvard for mailing you. It means your test scores were good.
Personally, I have a tally of Ivy League college mail. I have 7 out of 8 schools. I'm saving all of my college mail and then once I choose a college, I'm going to have a bonfire and burn it all... my brother did that, and it was great :)</p>
<p>I was kind of curious how many of these siren calls they sent out. I got the Princeton and Havard ones as well.</p>