<p>Intparent, I think you underestimate competence of other admitted (and their parents’). A couple of freebie is not going to lure a student away from a college (s)he finds herself/himself prefer over UChicago. Also, it will be ludicrous for a parent who is going to willing fork out quarter million or whatever cost it is to consider whether the school gives free hat/t shirt a decision factor. While my student did receive a scarf shortly after acceptance last year, we (both the student and parents) had not been showed by any of free t shirt, hat, handwrite notes, phone calls, etc. (admittedly, we would have loved and enjoyed it. Rather than worrying about grand marketing ploy, we would have been very delighted and flattered, but of course, nothing more:)).
My child actually changed her mind after attending school’s admitted student weekend - she saw herself fit best there, the classes she sit in, students she met, the city, the campus, the food (lol). While it was an extremely painful decision (actually the most difficult one in her life) to give up another school she initially thought was her first choice, so far, her experience at UChicago has been nothing but amazing. As a parent, admittedly, I did not do an intensive research on each schools in her list like what you are doing now with college common data set at the time, I simply wanted my child to be in a environment she sees herself happy, to explore her potential and grow as a person. Now, observing numerous opportunities available to her from the school, helps and supports from her professors and TAs and watching her grow intellectually and socially at UChicago-beyond my wildest dream, it is impossible for me not to love the school and feel grateful. I think other parents or students who say positive things about the school here share the same sentiment with me. I do not know what agenda we can possibly have?
Wish your child best of luck and continuing success in her college application and decision.</p>