I’ve always wondered if the stamp on letters you send will affect the adcoms’ decision. Will they see the stamp and judge you from the stamp you use. just wondering.
<p>Excellent post! Finally, someone stripping away the typical non-issues of college admission and digging into the heart of the matter.</p>
<p>I don't think they ever see the envelope...it's all put in a file for them.</p>
<p>Not true. We attended an admissions info session last week where they made it clear that the stamp was a critical piece of the file:</p>
<p>-choice of stamp was viewed as an excellent predictor of creative tendencies</p>
<p>-if the stamp was crooked, the file was automatically sorted into the "not very serious about us" pile.</p>
<p>Don't underestimate the importance of this.</p>
<p>KateLewis - loved it.</p>
<p>I can't believe I am reading this thread. Yesterday I was at the post office buying stamps. I almost picked up the Hanukkah stamps, and then put them down, thinking I have to mail some admissions items out, and maybe I should get a more universal stamp!!</p>
<p>Not putting a stamp on the envelope is the safe option I think you should choose.</p>
<p>It is generally accepted that the LOVE stamps are the best ones to use for college admissions material. Use of the LOVE stamp sends the subliminal message that the applicant loves the college he (or she) is applying to. In the old days, when we used to lick stamps, it was nice to be able to include a DNA sample along with the application. Now, although you can still seal the envelope with a "lick," most of the stamps are the no-lick variety which makes them more difficult to personalize. :) It goes without saying that insufficient postage is probably the worst mistake you can make, which will result in instant rejection. I have also heard of some of the more "quirky" students distinguishing themselves by using an eclectlic combination of low denomination commemorative stamps, including large colorful specimens issued in Grenada. :)
One aspiring math major created a fibonacci series of stamps across the top of his envelope, 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 (excess postage is OK) and referred to this pattern in his essay.... very effective!</p>
<p>I personally went with the American Flag stamps. It's a pretty "safe" stamp. Shouldn't offend too many people.</p>
<p>LOL, this thread is great. I never saw the stamp put on my app, because our counselor mails them out, hope he chose the right one lol.</p>
<p>for my dartmouth preapp, i chose a stamp with a santa dressed in all green :) obviously won't help, but it's for good luck...</p>
<p>All of you are crazy. The stamp has no weight in the decision whatsoever. I cant believe im reading this.</p>
<p>Oh No!!!! When I Sent My Recs, I Used Different Style Of Stamps!!! Now I'm Going To Community College!!! Nooooo.....y???!!!???!!</p>
<p>This is my favorite thread so far! </p>
<p>When I mailed each application (was one at a time as finished), when the post officer worker asked if there was anything else I needed (after stamping), I asked if he could sprinkle fairy dust on it cause it was a college application. One guy asked me if "I" was applying...and given that I am 47, well, it sorta made my day. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>My stamps had big, orange, striped frogs on them...</p>
<p>hey, I printed out the mailing address and used a tape gun to tape them on the envelope. However, I noticed that some parts of the tape were very uneven. Will this affect my application? (note: the tape is transparent-clear)</p>
<p>Just another reason why you should NEVER file an application via the web. Not only can the paragraph order of your essays get messed up in transmission, but you are losing an opportunity to really show your passion and uniqueness with your stamp(s). Don't go with 37 $ .01 cent stamps though. . .that's been overdone. </p>
<p>NJRes' note on Grenada reminds me of an old insider tip for students interested in studying international relations. Potential IR majors have long gotten a boost at schools like Harvard, Georgetown and Tufts by using stamps from countries other than the U.S. on their apps. Show your awareness of current events by picking a country that is currently in the news, like Iraq. That may be a tough stamp to find, of course, as we've bombed most of their post offices into big piles of rubble, but finding one would show awareness and initiative, so it might be your best tactic.</p>
<p>i was just kidding, i don't think stamps actually matter.</p>
<p>My teacher told me he used a red paper clip for his recommendation when he sent it in and guaranteed admission. It actually came true =0</p>
<p>"I personally went with the American Flag stamps. It's a pretty "safe" stamp. Shouldn't offend too many people."</p>
<p>Ouch. Sorry. Your rabid patriotism is not going to sit well with the jaded liberal adcoms. You should probably write letters to each college explaining how much you hate Republicans.</p>