<p>I go to my mailbox today, and I see a letter from Yale addressed to my parents. I'm used to this because they're both graduates, but usually the return address is the Yale Alumni Association or something of the sort. So, even though my dad hates it when I do this, I opened the letter, and much to my surprise it was a letter to my parents about me. I was shocked because I didn't know Yale did this. They sent my parents a letter basically saying thanks for allowing and encouraging your child to apply to Yale. I just thought this was funny and interesting, and I thought I would share since I rarely post on this site but I visit all the time. This letter also means something else; SOMEONE AT THAT MAGICAL PLACE CALLED YALE HAS OPENED MY APPLICATION........AND READ SOME PART OF IT!!! (Duh Duh Duh)</p>
<p>My understanding is that the legacy letter is supposed to give parents a reality check about how difficult it is to get in these days. It's kind of damage control so they are prepared for the likely event that their child will be rejected and don't get angry and stop giving money.</p>
<p>Did you get the sense that this was what was going on?</p>
<p>"It's kind of damage control so they are prepared for the likely event that their child will be rejected and don't get angry and stop giving money."</p>
<p>That was an insightful and beautiful explanation! I can't help getting excited whenever I find out "a dirty little secret" behind the admissions' closed door.</p>
<p>FYI, this is just my guess that it's a PR stunt. I have no concrete proof. I know such letters exist and the consensus of people I've discussed them with is that they are there to placate alums. I think it's a pretty smart move. Alumni who are of an age to have kids applying now remember when a 4.0 and being student body president was good enough to get in.</p>
<p>Back in the mid 70s, I know Yale sent letters to alums whose kids were about to get a rejection letter.</p>
<p>They might also have an alumni hotline for parents who call to howl when their kids get rejected, someone will soothingly explain why to them without making them wait on hold. Not that it will make the rejectee feel any better.</p>
<p>I was just saying this because I thought it was funny and interesting. Obviously, I understand totally that its purpose is to appease the alumni (the letter makes it quite apparent). I was just sharing a little experience I had in the Yale application process because, after all, that is one of the purposes of this site.</p>
<p>Admissions Addict, your take is exactly what mine was after receiving the same letter last year. (D's dad and I are law and grad school alumni, respectively) In the letter, Dean Brenzel also stated that he would be in touch with us after D's decision was received. That held true for the EA decision (deferral) but we didn't hear a word after she was rejected in March.</p>
<p>No sour grapes, though. She's deliriously happy at Stanford!</p>
<p>goodluck hypes!</p>
<p>do you think they only send the legacy letter to people they are going to reject or to all legacies?</p>
<p>Probably legacies whose parents are members of the Yale Alumni Association</p>
<p>My bet would be all legacies.</p>
<p>hypes: all alumni are served by the AYA, the Association of Yale Alumni.</p>
<p>Anderson Cooper (CNN 360), class of '89 once quipped: "If they really want to find Bin Laden, sic the AYA on him."</p>