<p>Over the past 2-3 years, I've gotten numerous brochures from colleges. However, I've only recently gotten an "application" for admission, and that was from Princeton. I've never sent anything to Princeton or visited there. I visited Vanderbilt and they sent me their Common Application Supplement, but, like I said, I have visited Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm just wondering if an application for admission holds any weight whatsoever?</p>
<p>Nope, no weight at all. Sorry.</p>
<p>Colleges like to send out a lot of brochures. Why? To increase the number of people that apply. Many times kids receive these letters, think they have a good chance of getting in, and apply [which is a pretty reasonable conclusion]. But the letters mean essentially zilch.This increased pool of applicants means that the school has the opportunity to reject more people, thus increasing their selectivity rate, thus increasing their ranking. </p>
<p>Kind of a duplicitous practice, yes.</p>
<p>Here's some perspective on this issue: </p>
<p>Online</a> Extra: How Harvard Gets its Best and Brightest </p>
<p>Good luck in your applications.</p>
<p>Lol, I got an "application for admissions" from Harvard, but I don't think that has any weight. XD</p>
<p>I got an application for rejection. Odd...</p>
<p>Actually from Princeton an "Application for Admission" unsolicited IMHO means
you are probably rightly or wrongly in one of the target groups they
are actively seeking (not the random mailings associated with the
other colleges).</p>
<p>Last year I believe the emphasis shifted to LGBT and Artsy-folks from
just URM based on anectodal evidence.</p>
<p>Any other material from Princeton can be safely disregarded as being
in the same marketing category as the other colleges though.</p>
<p>Duper me too!</p>
<p>Both my sons got a phone call from Harvard. I think it was because of high PSAT scores and our rural zip code.</p>
<p>I got the one from Harvard and Dartmouth. I still have it because it makes me feel special (lol!). But nope, there's no weight at all. I think I got it because I'm a URM with semi-decent test scores :)</p>
<p>yea i figure the same thing.. I got one from princeton though and I am not a URM or gay (i swear lol)... its probably to increase selectivity ratings</p>
<p>If I may: zoaxanthellae, I disagree w/your cynical judgment of marketing efforts by the ultra-selectives. Frankly from my personal experience, the really don't give a darn about their "rankings" or perceived selectivity. Their overarching goal is to get the best candidates possible. This numbers game requires getting as many super applicants as possible and then cherry picking.</p>
<p>Having graduated from one of the HYP colleges we never spoke about "rank" or "prestige" of our college or our fellows. It would have been very poor taste. Frankly we were incredibly awe-struck by the quality institutions that we were enjoying. In gratitude, we hope to perpetuate this and share our experience with as many young people as possible. </p>
<p>While outsiders may see the huge marketing efforts that the HYPMS schools do as a function of increasing their appearance of selectivity, as an insider I find their efforts to be.... more noble and borne out of institutional goals to be the best by getting the best. Some might say I'm naive. So be it.</p>
<p>Doesn't matter. I got one from Harvard. My dad got excited, but I tossed it.</p>
<p>I got minority recruitment and financial aide letters from both Yale and Harvard, and while I highly doubt it gives me any significantly improved chance of admission whatsoever, it does feel good to know that they acknowledge my existence, because most people don't get anything at all from those schools.</p>