<p>My little sister applied ED to NYU (Steinhardt) and she got a strange letter from them in the mail. It was addressed November 9, from the Dean of the College (far too early for a decision, yes?) There were some general things about Steinhardt, and then two lines that confused her (and me). "We are proud of Steinhardt and invite you to join us next year" and at the end "Good luck with the rest of your academic endeavors and we hope you decide to study with us next year."</p>
<p>What does this mean? She's already submitted her ED app (Nov. 1) so they know she has an application in. Is it a general mailing going out even to people with ED? Any help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Not all college mailing databases are perfect. My guess is the department one (Steinhardt) is a little behind the admissions one. Or the department may know she's applied, and they re just making an introduction and an early plug. I don't think you will not mistake a true admissions letter. Does she have an online place to check her status?</p>
<p>As a general piece of advice - file the letter and forget it. Your sister will hear a final decision when she hears it, and it will be unambiguous. Trying to "decode" what could easily be a simple marketing letter can only serve to drive you two crazy. (Schools also have different lists for marketing and for received apps; sometimes they don't match, so ED kids get the regular letter as well.)</p>
<p>Think of it this way - if the letter means nothing, and you convince yourself that she's in, how disappointed will you be if it turns out not to be true? On the other hand, if the letter means she's in, but you treat it as if it means nothing, will you be any less thrilled when she gets the final acceptance?</p>
<p>Spend your emotional energy elsewhere and wait (hard, I know, but easier than turning yourselves into pretzels.)</p>
<p>My daughter, who has also applied ED, has received several recent marketing letters from the university to which she applied. One, quite obviously, was a letter written to students who have visited the campus in the past (which she has). Another, equally obviously, was written to National Merit Semifinalists (which she is). A third was a general letter encouraging her to check out the opportunities in one specific college within the university (not the one to which she has applied).</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the university's application site indicates that all is in order with her application. All the necessary components have been received, and her application is under review.</p>
<p>It seems evident to me that this university makes no effort to remove people who have already applied from their marketing mailing lists. And really, I wouldn't expect them to.</p>
<p>I disagree. My D applied RD last year and received that letter. The only people who received that letter were the ones who were accepted. She kept poo poo'ing me and saying that she wouldn't believe it until the official letter came. It did. Plus merit aid. IMHO, she is in! Congrats.</p>
<p>It sounds more like a generic recruiting mailing to me. I would expect an acceptance letter to start by saying something like 'we are happy to ..........' . But we are not at the stage of getting acceptance letters yet (hoping she gets her applications worked on over Thanksgiving break) so I am no expert! Good luck to her.</p>
<p>I wouldn't bank on it, but I have never seen a generic letter that said "I hope you decide to study with us." They hope you will consider them, they hope you will apply, but hoping you decide to study there is clearly implying that it is your choice--in other words, that you've been accepted.</p>
<p>If it's not an ED likely letter, then it is extremely deceiving.</p>
<p>I agree with garland. Wait until the official notification date for the real acceptance letter--don't contact the school--but this definitely sounds like an ED likely letter to me.</p>
<p>It may be a likely letter. My friend got a few last year, but said that they were very clear that you got in. He did not get one from NYU (hard to when you dont apply) but got ~3 from more selective colleges. Then again, I already applied to one college and got a letter a month later asking me to apply, so it may just be a mistake in the data base.</p>
<p>Likely letters generally make it pretty clear what's going on, stuff like "...glad you applied...while we can't guarantee...we're pretty confident you'll have a place..." and so forth.</p>
<p>The quote has none of it. Marketing letters, OTOH, are designed to be ambiguous, to entice, to suggest and so forth. The ambiguity of the OP's quote leaves no doubt in my mind that it is a marketing letter.</p>
<p>I have no experience with this, but if it's not a likely letter, I'd call it deceptive. What are they inviting her to join them for next year...dinner? On the other hand, since she applied ED, if they accept her, they shouldn't have to hope she'll show up. She's committed herself already. Very confusing.</p>
<p>It is only confusing for someone who applied ED. But many marketing efforts are a bit disconnected from the admissions committee. They're often vended out to third parties even. Remember, part of admissions is a business, making sure the seats are filled with enough full pay students.</p>
<p>So forget the ED app. If this were a POTENTIAL applicant, the language would be classic soft sell.</p>
<p>I sort of hear you, newmassdad, but I still think they should be more vague if they aren't accepting..Inviting you to consider, not join. If I'm inviting someone to a fundraiser, I expect they might show up; I'm not turning them away at the door. If this is just marketing, I don't like it.</p>
<p>The only letters that are ''for real'' are the ones that announce acceptance - waitlisted - denied. This letter is a marketing tool - which is also asking - inviting - the person to consider going to this school - IF they are accepted - so wait til the official one - that is the one that counts.</p>
<p>I still say i have never seen a marketing letter that used that language. And of course, like all of you, we got plenty! Marketing letters are deliberately fuzzy and noncommital--this is assuredly not.</p>