Do all BS send them? Generic or personalized with a handwritten note? Should this be seen as a positive or neutral (realizing that grades/SSAT/application are the most important factors)?
We have received handwritten holiday cards and notes from many of the schools we visited and from what I can gather from the comments of those going before us, this is commonplace and not a sign of anything. Some were quite long and very specific to my DD so I feel for the AOs who are writing all these!! But the card does its job because we definitely got the warm fuzzies reading them!
It is standard practice and should not be viewed as a “good omen.” It’s quite hard I know since they do give warm fuzzies!
They just want to make sure that you/you kid applies.
Oddly enough for us the 2 cards with the longest personal notes ended up waitlisting our DS and schools we didn’t get a card or gave us a generic card actually accepted him. In our case the cards did make us feel warm and fuzzy but on M9 we were shocked to see the results.
@ReluctantDad Interesting to know. I suspected as such but good to hear the experience. My DD got a VERY generic card from a school – didn’t even have her name on it. She took this to mean she didn’t have a chance to get in.
Another school didn’t even send a card at all.
Yet another school sent a small gift.
I tried to encourage grain of salt thinking, but my DD definitely felt otherwise.
What would you make of a school that not only sends a personalized card but also has a current parent call you directly? Is that typical?
I am trying to remember. I think we only had parent phone calls after admittance so different scenario. Honestly, basic rule is don’t let anything get your hopes up. If they’re doing it for you, they’re doing it for other people too and it probably does not correlate well to actual decisions.
I know it’s so so hard not to get your hopes up. One of the coaches we met with at one point said “it would be great to see you in an x school uniform” and I was like “what? What does that mean” over and over in my head for nights on end.
Don’t read anything into it.
We have received numerous personally signed holiday cards from schools…DD doesn’t apply until next year.
I’m actually kind of glad she’s seeing the marketing of AOs before it’s officially interview/application time so she knows to take it all with a grain of salt.
The best indicator for us was invitations to events in mid to late February from 2 schools, our DS was accepted at both. This said he was still accepted at 2 other schools that did not invite us to any event.
Thanks for all the input. I wasn’t putting weight into any communication, but it is interesting how each school handles this. Ironically, the most personal card came from the school that is currently lowest on DC’s wish list. Go figure!
Before admissions deadlines, AOs want to encourage the largest # of applicants possible because it will boost their selectivity by lowering their acceptance rate. Some schools have to work harder at this than others.
After the deadline they want to make sure that if they offer you a spot, you will not only enroll (yield) but will actually thrive at their school – academically, socially, and EC-wise – because it is such a great fit.