<p>I believe every student gets one. I got one from my regional representative and it was very specific. I also got a similar one from Yale.</p>
<p>Damn. It seriously sounds like mine was the least personal note of all…must work on my essay writing skills</p>
<p>Honestly? Explicit criticism about some feature of the application would not be a very effective strategy to attract students.</p>
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<p>I think that intenex’s final phrase was a message to himself or herself, not a reflection of what was written in the note, unless I have misunderstood your comment.</p>
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<p>Yes, I apparently misread what he wrote. That would clarify his response.</p>
<p>My handwritten message was not overwhelmingly personal either – basically the generic “see you in the fall!” response - but personal, nonetheless.</p>
<p>Lmao - I think I probably would’ve loved it more if I had gotten direct criticism.</p>
<p>"Dear Ben,</p>
<p>While I am pleased to have admitted you (eventually) after extensive deliberations, I must note that I was initially strongly reluctant to do so. I had to bite a bullet to get myself through your essay. I highly recommend that you take full advantage of our English tutors while on campus.</p>
<p>See you in the fall!"</p>
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<p>:) 10char</p>
<p>Intenex, you are hilarious.</p>
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<p>hahahahaha!</p>
<p>LOVE IT!</p>
<p>That was great :D</p>
<p>intenex – I believe you have passed Northstar Mom’s humor test – welcome to Harvard – clearly you belong</p>
<p>Gee, thanks guys. I’m happy to belong :)</p>
<p>I didn’t get one… =/ Maybe this is a sign that I should choose Princeton! =P</p>
<p>^No, no, don’t choose Princeton :D! </p>
<p>Lol, intenex, you made my day =).</p>
<p>Wait, when did you guys receive this note? Was it in the admission packet or did you get a letter afterwards?</p>
<p>Letter afterwards. Not important at all, you didn’t miss anything.</p>
<p>As a general observation, the communication from Harvard has been surprisingly sparse relative to that sent by other colleges. That is, Harvard seems to adopt a more laissez-faire approach when it comes to influencing admitted students.</p>
<p>Or, alternatively, they just don’t care nearly as much about us ;)</p>
<p>^^ Don’t worry intenex, Angela Francisco Flygh didn’t send me a very personal message, either. Maybe she gets tired from writing out her name.</p>
<p>Or maybe it’s just something with us Chicago 'burbanites.</p>
<p>Harvard’s 80% yield rate means that chances are you’ll choose Harvard anyway. I don’t think they need to put in much effort to get you to come :)</p>
<p>^ Man, see I hate that superior attitude!</p>
<p>The fact that one assumes that Harvard can just rest on its laurels and ride off the shininess of the “Harvard” name. </p>
<p>I’ll choose Harvard if I think it’s a good fit, and if it can convince me that it IS truly as good as it promises to be. I’ll choose Harvard if I think that it can offer me something better or more than any other college can. I’m** not** one of those who will automatically choose thanks to the fact that it’s Harvard</p>
<p>(Personal gripe against that attitude - not a critique of you iabin)</p>