<p>I've been getting emails from certain colleges like Duke, Caltech, and Columbia (not Yale,Harvard, and some other Ivies). Does them emailing me mean that they are interested in me and I have a better chance of getting in those schools? Or does it mean nothing?</p>
<p>It means they'd like to look at your application. Once they see your application, they'll decide whether or not to admit you. </p>
<p>See </p>
<p>Online</a> Extra: How Harvard Gets its Best and Brightest </p>
<p>for one example of what a college does, and see </p>
<p>Maguire</a> Associates - Services - EMPOWR: Optimizing Student Recruitment </p>
<p>for more general context.</p>
<p>That's just how they spread their name to possibly qualified applicants. Don't feel too super happy, but you have a better shot in those schools than most.</p>
<p>just a recruiting tool.</p>