<p>One of the things that I've found very interesting over the course of the past year is the way that colleges go about marketing themselves, and the business aspect of how colleges admit students.</p>
<p>My D and I visited 10 schools. At least three of them told us that if she brought in a recipe from home, the school would make it, and if enough kids liked it, it would be put into the rotation in the cafeteria. I wonder how often this actually happens. I think not very (although, to be fair, a friend who is at Rutgers told me that they had 'lobster night' and he was at the dining hall for three hours eating).</p>
<p>It seems from the tours and interviews and info sessions that the schools really project a sense of acceptance, to make it seem as though if <em>you</em> want to attend, they'll be happy to have you. Which is, of course, not the case at all. I find it interesting, and a little disturbing, that it comes across that admission, and success as a student, is easy. I've made sure to have plenty of discussions with my child about this. </p>
<p>'back in the day' when I applied to school, I don't remember anywhere near the kind of marketing that is being done today. One school in particular has sent my D a ton of stuff, letters, postcards, she's had at least four phone calls from them, and while I'd like to think it's because she's going to be accepted, I think it's just because they want to make sure she wants them, and then <em>maybe</em> they'll want her. When I give her the correspondence, I make sure to stress that she shouldn't read too much into it. It's been a real learning experience for her, and for me.</p>
<p>And as a side note, can I just add that I think I'm MORE anxious than she is at this point to get the acceptances and/or rejections. This whole process has been .... quite an experience.</p>