<p>Are personal letters from the dean sent out often? Does getting one mean that you are likely to be accepted?</p>
<p>Kinda hard to guess without knowing which dean and what the letter said!</p>
<p>In general, the goal for any applicant is to make himself known to the college. So any personalized communication has to be viewed as a plus. You never know, at a place like Swarthmore, who might have lunch with whom and put in a good word for somebody. For example, I'm sure that the music department puts in a good word for applicants who have visited. Probably the same for all departments from time to time.</p>
<p>However, I also would caution against reading too much into it.</p>
<p>I've never visited or shown any real interest, but I happened to open this letter because it was hand addressed, and I was delighted to find a personal letter along with the woman's business card.</p>
<p>I still doubt I will apply since I have a good list of schools already (and the deadlines are all fast approaching). If she had only sent it a month or two earlier, it would have certainly pushed me to apply, which seemed to be the point of the letter.</p>
<p>..i thought the dean was a male? who was the letter from?</p>
<p>I don't remember the name. I think it said asst. dean, though.</p>
<p>This week my daughter got photocopies of some articles about Swarthmore students and alum engaged in different programs with a personalized handwritten note from our regional rep. All of these matched her specific interests--she was excited to read about these opportunities--it was almost like Swarthmore read her mind. I am wondering if this was a coincidence or whether they based this on teacher/counsleor recs that has probably reached their office by now as she hasn't submitted her application yet. If so, I am really impressed with the personalized attention.</p>
<p>same thing with me. i received a similar letter about some interests of mine. was yours about some swarthmore students helping in africa and with intl. humanitarian efforts?</p>
<p>It sounds the same--I guess all the students attracted to Swarthmore would like one or more of those activities, so they send them to all prospective students who have kept in touch with the school. Nice gesture all the same!</p>
<p>I haven't kept in touch with the school at all! It is certainly nice that a smaller school can do that, though. I applaud them.</p>