<p>Hi, I'm an international student, and I've recieved two e-mails today from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Hofstra University that I am a great candidate and an outstanding student and that I should apply by some Select Candidate application...What does this mean, do I have a greater shot at these colleges?
Thanks</p>
<p>They do not increase your chances. I had Case Western, Wake Forest, Tulane, and Notre Dame all send me stuff saying they were interested in me applying or that I caught their eye, but it’s really just them wanting you to apply to their school. Don’t get me wrong, they probably want you there, but it won’t help you at all.</p>
<p>Everyone above is correct. They get a mailing list based on certain statistics (SAT scores, GPA’s, something that they use as a filter) and then do mass mailings.</p>
<p>thought so, thanks :D</p>
<p>Yes, they pay collegeboard.com to give them the email addresses of high scoring test takers. As alluded to above, the more applicants a college receives, the lower the ultimate admit/applied ratio, which is one component in the USNWR ranking system.</p>
<p>You should have seen my first reaction to those e-mail, I was like: “OMG, I finally cought a break! Woohoo, now I’m for sure going to the USA!” xD</p>