<p>I just got an email from a college saying that the director of undergrad admissions is going to send me an "invitation" in the mail to apply to his or her school. What is that about? It's weird... The email was this:</p>
<p>Dear (My name),</p>
<p>Summer is a busy time for rising seniors as well as college admissions. While you're searching for a college that will help you grow into the person you wish to become, we're looking for the best candidates for the Class of 2017. I'm sure you'll have many choices, and I want you to know I'm interested in seeing your application for admission.</p>
<p>That's why I'll be inviting you to apply to (the college name) this fall. I've made applying easy and quick (there's no new essay to write and no application fee). When you receive your invitation, please apply right away so I can give you top consideration for admission and one of our many scholarships.</p>
<p>You can find out more about your scholarship opportunities right now, (My name). I believe education is a gift you give yourself, and I will work with you to help you realize your dreams.</p>
<p>Enjoy your summer, (My name), and watch for my invitation this fall.</p>
<p>All my best,</p>
<p>(The person's name)
Director of Undergraduate Admission</p>
<p>The college sends out thousands of these–usually to students who’ve achieved scores above some certain threshhold on the PSAT, SAT or ACT.</p>
<p>Invitations to apply often (but not always) come with perqs, including one or more of the following:</p>
<p>waived application fees;
early response dates (without placing you under any obligation to attend, the way Early Decision does);
release from writing some or all of the customary application essays.</p>
<p>As far as I can tell, it is unusual, but not unheard of, for a student who was invited to apply to be turned down for admission.</p>
<p>If you’re a good student with strong test scores, you’ll be seeing more of these.</p>
<p>It means nothing- it’s just a way for the school to get more people to apply- if you’re really not interested in the school, I wouldn’t waste the time. Just because your test scores may make you competitive at a particular school, it does not mean that the school will necessarily be the right fit for you. Don’t get reeled in by these letters.</p>
<p>I think it may be worth checking out colleges that make you such an offer. You might discover a college or university you hadn’t known previously that you really like.</p>
<p>But I agree that there’s no value in submitting an application to a college that you wouldn’t like to attend.</p>
<p>Actually Sikorsky is right. I should’ve actually said that you should disregard the letters in terms of thinking that you would have an advantage in terms of admissions. It would not hurt to at least check out the schools if you have not heard of them, as you never know what school might interest you. The school that my son is going to be attending in August is certainly not the school that he had envisioned at the beginning of the college search process.</p>
<p>With consideration to all future applicants, the more who apply the more that can be rejected, resulting in lower and more prestigious admission rates for the University.</p>
<p>You’re about to experience a most intense marketing effort from colleges looking to increase their application count. Letters, e-mails, and calls, all proclaiming that you’re “specially selected” to apply to their school. I’d casually ignore those inquiries, unless you’re seriously interested in said school, and not let all that professed enthusiasm distract you.</p>
<p>Usually if you are given a fee waiver and fast track application (you will start getting some once app season starts in August) it would be a good idea to submit them. The free apps are given to students who are considered to be in the top quartile of the applicants for that school and are in consideration of some of their top merit scholarships. It is not a bad idea to consider free app schools as safeties.</p>
<p>Submitting a free app isn’t free if the school requires test scores to be sent-these are not free unless you get a fee waiver, and the cost can add up when sending a lot of test scores.</p>
<p>I’m guessing it says 2017 because they were in such a rush to get these letters out to good rising seniors that they forgot to change the year! You will probably get another very soon that says 2018!</p>