<p>I get letters similar to that (but not geared towards Asian-Americans, but instead Hispanic/high-achieving students/whatever group I fit into). As far as I can tell, it's about the same as getting a guidebook: "consider our school, but this isn't a guaranteed acceptance."</p>
<p>If you're trying for Harvard, though, why not apply! :)</p>
<p>Every Asian person who demonstrated some interest in Harvard has received this letter, I got one too. Pretty much says we want you to apply but you're not going to get any special treatment.</p>
<p>Here's a link to establish some context for the first thread on the Harvard Forum and the thread I just merged in from the College Admissions Forum. </p>
<p>Online</a> Extra: How Harvard Gets its Best and Brightest </p>
<p>Harvard is quite active in recruiting students, to the tune of 70,000 recruiting letters (maybe more, by now) per year. </p>
<p>I have a question for students posting in this thread. Are you mostly seniors (high school class of 2009) or juniors (high school class of 2010)?</p>
<p>Seniors. at least i am. I didnt receive this last year when i was a junior. Well this is disappointing. I thought we were actually getting recruited a little bit. oh well.</p>
<p>How did they know you were asian?</p>
<p>yeah. im a senior, too!
I was wondering the same thing.
They might have bought the names/e-mail addresses from collegeboard or something. But I'm not sure.</p>
<p>haha...i never even read the email. i just glanced and moved on because i knew it's just a way to make students feel wanted/hopeful.
btw who also got calls? it was so random...</p>
<p>I think these communications occur because you checked something on your SAT's or ACT's, indicating you were willing to receive info from colleges, and also probably the box for ethnicity. I would imagine there is some minimum score required to get one, but it probably does not have to be sky high: Harvard does not limit itself to ultra high scorers!</p>
<p>One of our kids is at Harvard. She never checked the box to receive info from colleges, and did not receive a single college catalog or letter or e-mail, not a single one. </p>
<p>One of our other kids checked the box and was inundated, including a letter from Harvard. He is at another university, by choice.</p>
<p>I have friends who tell me that their kid received a letter from x University and they clearly feel this means their kid is special, and that the school is going out of their way to solicit them. I don't say anything. But, no offense, I think a lot of the mail and e-mail is generated electronically without any human being there saying, "well, this looks like a good candidate, let's go after them."</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but I don't think it means much. But I'm sure you guys are special anyway!</p>
<p>Thanks for the hope compmom lulz. The phone call though does sound like genuie recruiting, as it sounds like most of us didnt get one.</p>