<p>Hey I got a letter in the mail a few days ago from U of Chicago about me taking AP classes in sophomore year (i took 3). And that they want to know more about me and for me to sign up for their postcard series.
Are they recruiting me or just trying to get me interested in it??</p>
<p>Both. I'm sure taking three AP classes in 10th grade is a marker for the kind of student who may be interested in Chicago, and in whom they may be interested. (Not a perfect marker, mind you, but a much better marker than, say, getting elected homecoming queen, or acing Driver's Ed.) They obviously bought your name from the College Board, along with thousands of others like you, all of whom got that letter. But probably not tens of thousands. You aren't assured of admission or anything like that. You are probably in the ballpark for being a legitimate candidate for admission, provided you continue to be academically ambitious.</p>
<p>Anyway, the postcard series is fun. It's good, responsible, non-misleading marketing. If you like the postcards, you may very well like the University of Chicago. If you don't, you may not. If you were interested enough to pay attention to the letter, why not sign up? It's not going to result in identity theft. My daughter, now a Chicago 4th year, really liked the postcards, and they took her from idle curiosity about the university to thinking that it might really be the place for her. (Not all by themselves, mind you, but they got her interest piqued enough to start looking into things in more detail.)</p>
<p>S2 got the same letter the other day. He suddenly started getting college mail from very good schools and we were trying to figure out what triggered it (since he evidently didn't check the box on last year's PSAT). Chicago's letter made it clear -- it was three AP exams by the end of soph year. Can't tell if they were just looking for three exams or if they pulled AP Scholars. Not that we care about the hype, anyway.</p>
<p>S2 will definitely be giving Chicago a good look-see.</p>
<p>I have to chuckle a bit, as my PSAT scores were not in the range to get courted by Chicago or any other top school. Yet here I am all the same. So don't get discouraged if colleges aren't coming to your doorstep with roses.</p>
<p>OTOH, the postcards could be a good way to start research.</p>
<p>In the summer after my sophomore year I too recieved this letter, I believe they send it to any sophomore who took any APs, however I don't think they see whether you've taken 2 or 3. I defintely suggest subscribing for the postcard series because they give you a great idea of what the chicago culture is like.....</p>
<p>S2 really looks forward to the cards, some can be quite humorous.</p>
<p>In an ocean of college junk mail, the postcards stood out.</p>