Why do some colleges send Mail/E-mails?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>A school like Northwestern has a SAT range of 1360-1530 (25th/75th), so why do they send out interest e-mails when all they have on me is my 181 composite PSAT score? Do they send this type of mail to everyone? They are already ranked 12 by USNEWS which is many peoples' go-to for college prestige. With an excellent reputation already, albeit lesser than an Ivy, why do they want to interest people who have low test scores. By their means I'm well below average and I can only assume they sent a mass e-mail. </p>

<p>Is it a ploy to lower their acceptance rate to below that of Ivies? I am by no means trying to criticize Northwestern (in fact I will be applying), but I feel like an e-mail such as this boosted my hope of getting in, and for some people might push them to apply. Then their acceptance rate would be manipulated to some extent, while schools like Cal Tech don't send out mail (that I know of) and are maintaining a near-single digit rate of acceptance.</p>

<p>Just my observations, and I highlight NW in particular because it came as the largest surprise to me, but I got nice brochures from other very prestigious colleges as well.</p>

2

<p>They buy the lists of students with certain PSAT/SAT/ACT scores. It pretty much just means they want you to apply (they want everyone with a chance to apply).</p>

<p>It might push people to apply, which is the point. Some speculate that schools do it to lower their admissions rates, which is possible. However, what’s sure is they want to get more people interested. And hey, it might provide someone with a goal to work harder for.</p>