letter from prof., application pending

<p>My daughter's application to Skidmore is pending. Yesterday (March 14) she received a letter from a professor at the college inviting her to call for a chat. The letter is anything but a form letter. It clearly was composed by the professor, and is several paragraphs long. It's also clear that the professor was given my daughter's application, as it mentions a number of my daughter's interests and accomplishments.</p>

<p>We (my wife and I) are a bit mystified. Is Skidmore interested in my daughter, but looking to know her better before deciding? Or is the college trying to get a sense of whether she'd attend if accepted (concerns about yield)? Or . . . . ?</p>

<p>Any Skidmore parents out there who have an idea what this is about?</p>

<p>tumbledad</p>

<p>I am not sure of what to make of it, however, I think it signals something positive. S1 goes there and absolutely loves it. He spent his first semester in London and is now on campus. Challenging courses, great students, lively campus - really it is everything I hoped it would be when S1 chose to go there. Good luck with your daughter going there. It is a great college!</p>

<p>Come on. It's a clear attempt to establish a personal connection to increase the chance she'll choose Skidmore over her other acceptances.</p>

<p>I should think that a personal contact from a professor can only be a good sign. My daughter would probably love to receive such a contact. She's been on tenterhooks waiting to hear about her RD application (apparently 2 weeks more!). Skidmore remains her #1 choice.</p>

<p>I find it interesting to see the variability in how colleges communicate with prospective students. It seems that frequency of communication is inversely proportional to competitiveness of admission. Our daughter's 'safe school' admitted her two weeks after she applied in December and has sent an email, video link, or postal letter about once a week ever since. In contrast, Skidmore sent a single letter acknowledging receiving her application. Here's hoping for one more good letter in late March!</p>

<p>I'm a professor at a state college and our department is given names of promising students to contact...after they have been accepted. Sounds like a good sign to me!</p>

<p>Thanks for the replies. Since my original post my daughter has responded to the professor's letter and has received another lengthy letter back. We now think that Skidmore is actively recruiting her. She likes the school; we like the school. The only thing not to like is the price tag!</p>

<p>tumbledad</p>

<p>I think it is defininitely a good sign that this professor has reached out to your daughter. Could you tell us the department in which he teaches? Is this the same as your D's major? Skidmore is a "safety" for my D, but one she is very interested in. We have had little communication from Skidmore, despite her qualifications. This has definitely discouraged my daughter. I wonder if Skidmore even cares what affect this has on our kids?</p>

<p>An English professor at Skidmore also contacted me a few weeks ago saying that she read my application with great interest. We chatted for a bit about the English department and journalism, and today I received a likely letter in the form of an e-mail from the admissions department :) I'd say that being contacted by a professor is a very good sign!</p>

<p>(I should add that my early acceptance came with an invitation to Skidmore's Discovery Tour, a program for accepted students of color. I am half Caucasian and half Asian, and this is literally my third invitation to a program of this kind. I think that if you're a URM and your acceptance has been decided, you will most likey receive early notification...but that's just a guess).</p>

<p>tumbledad: I agree about the price! My daughter visited Skidmore and really liked it, and it's probably her top choice though I'd say about a 50-50 chance for admission. She's a twin, so even if she gets in, we worry that there won't be enough financial aid for her to consider it. Know anything about their generosity in that department?</p>

<p>thanks</p>