Is this a common mail to get from a college ?

Applying to College
1

I received a mail from Washington and Lee university about their opportunity fee waiver. Their mail seems encouraging to me. But is it sent to almost anyone who is applying to college i.e. is it quite common ? I am an international student with pretty good stats ( close to 4.0 UW GPA )

Dear …,

I am reaching out to you, …, because W&L actively seeks motivated and talented students to make each of our entering classes exceptional. I would like to invite you to apply for admission to Washington and Lee University using the Common Application or the QuestBridge application. I’ve also waived your application fee to make applying easier.

On our beautiful campus in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, W&L students enjoy a wide variety of academic programs taught in the context of a close-knit liberal arts college community with a nationally recognized Honor System. To learn more about W&L and to apply with the Common Application, visit this helpful site.

Or you may also go directly to the Common Application. If you’ve already started your Common Application, clicking this link will automatically add W&L to your school list.

I look forward to learning more about your background and achievements from your application. Follow this link to learn more about your opportunity and to apply to W&L.

…
Recently, I got another mail that said something like :

Dear …

I have selected you to receive access to a special website about Washington and Lee University, one of the nation’s top colleges. Follow this link to the site, where you will discover:

Information about W&L's renowned, student-run Honor System
How to apply to W&L with no application fee
Details about your opportunity to apply for our premier award, the Johnson Scholarship, which covers at least tuition, room and board (more information here)
Helpful tips about the college application process and applying to W&L with the Common Application

…

2

Depends upon the college. But it is not uncommon. It’s marketing, pure and simple. Read nothing else into it. If it makes you want to learn more about the university and makes you apply, then the marketing was effective.

3

This is mass market mailing designed to look personal, but it isn’t. It is equivalent to an advertisement.

4

should i be somewhat happy that I got it or can people with low stats get it as well. one of my friends asked the officer. they said that they get students’ information if they indicate that they would like to receive information from universities when they take standardized tests @skieurope @milee30

5

There is no way to know what data the college requested and paid for, so there is no way to know if this type of mailing went to all students who took the test and agreed to receive mailings or if they used more selective criteria. And “more selective” could even be something like males within a certain geographic area, students who have indicated interest in a certain subject, etc.

It is not an indication that the college knows you or has concluded you are qualified.

Again, it is mass market mailing. Here in America we call it Junk Mail. It’s not harmful, but don’t read anything into it.

6

Your friend is correct. They likely got your name from when you took the PSAT. As @milee30 said, there is no way to know what criteria they used for purchasing the names. It may, and I stress “may,” be an indication that the college thinks you have the stats to be a strong applicant, but it is {b]far** from an admissions offer. Like I said, it’s simply marketing.

7

W&L is a selective college, so they likely send information to students above a certain academic level.