Is Priority App. BS?

So I received a lot of priority applicant status emails and letters etc. I have a pretty decent GPA and SAT range (compared to that of most of the schools, anyways) and have ignored most as I wasn’t really interested in them.

I did get two from two schools I liked and had crossed off the list for cost and simplicity sake. I figured “why not”? I was interested and it gave me a short app with no fee, so let’s give it a shot.

Only recently have I heard about it being used as a sort of marketing scheme (after I used the app for one school) and I’m slightly concerned.

Are those apps just garbage? Am I really being considered for some money, quick admission info, etc or was that just me being encouraged to apply? If so I’ll apply through common app otherwise as I don’t want to hurt my chances for these schools.

Any feedback is appreciated; thanks!

Unless it waved the application fee, it seemed like marketing to us.

We always felt they were a way for colleges to get more applications in the door. But if you get a free and easy application to a college you are at all interested in then go for it. Just do not assume a priority application is a guarantee of admittance, merit aid or anything along those lines.