<p>I've been getting packets in the mail from colleges telling me I'm either a "distinctive," "priority," or "VIP" candidate. So far, they've come from Drexel, University of Portland, University of the Pacific(which I was actually already considering as a safety).</p>
<p>Do they mean anything? Are they like Likely Letters? Should I submit? Are they a form of Early Action or Decision? Any one know anything about them?</p>
<p>They are doing exactly what they are intended to do: entice you to apply if you had not previously considered the college. It’s only marketing. Certainly not a Likely Letter.</p>
<p>That’s funny… because I got those from the same colleges as you!</p>
<p>I e-mailed them and was considering applying… mainly because the application was free. then i e-mailed and asked if they require recommendation letters for those apps and they said yes. i was going to apply to all three of those colleges, but i ended up not because I have no real interest in attending any of those colleges really. If you are interested, then just apply. it’s free anyways! It is usually a form of early action. you will get notified sooner and get priority scholarship which is good if you need financial aid.</p>
<p>There was a big thread about this. I think the company was based in Virginia, but it is all one company doing it for the schools. Think: more letters are sent out with the “elitist” feeling to it. It makes it sound like you are from a select few, meaning the top; the catch is, you are not. Kids feel special and want to apply because they think they have a high chance of getting in. “Streamlined application” so the kids have less work to do on their part. They waive the fee so more people are enticed to apply. More applicants but the same numbers of available spots means lower admissions %. Lower acceptance % = higher ranking. Higher ranking = more prestige (supposedly)</p>
<p>I searched for the big thread. Link?</p>
<p>[Colleges</a> Market Easy, No-Fee Sell to Applicants - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Colleges Market Easy, No-Fee Sell to Applicants - The New York Times”>Colleges Market Easy, No-Fee Sell to Applicants - The New York Times)</p>
<p>Couldn’t find the thread I was talking about either, but that explains it well.</p>