If son hadn't hear of Colgate before, he's gonna notice now.

DougBetsy · 05-23-2008, 05:34 PM

Ever since son got his PSAT scores, the college mail has been rolling in. He's only in 10th grade, not ready to search seriously, and usually just throws the literature in the "college basket."

So far his only criterion for deciding whether a school might fit him is to examine the cover letter that came in the envelope. If the admissions officer seems to have signed personally, he likes it. If it appears to be a "fake" signature, he doesn't. (How's that for objectivity?)

So today the Colgate mail came. He allows (actually prefers) for me to open the stuff now since he grew bored with it. Well, this one he'll really like.

For the first time, not only did the admissions dean sign the cover letter himself, but he (or his human designee) added a handwritten note: "Thank you for your interest in Colgate, Sonrealname. Call if you need more info."

Whether it really was the dean or his intern won't matter to son. I'm just glad Colgate did it. That school has been his strongest early match for months.

bluebayou · 05-23-2008, 06:59 PM

hmmm, I've often wondered if colleges use hand-writing machines to ink signatures.

SJTH · 05-23-2008, 07:49 PM

I bet Gary Ross did write the note. He is one of the nicest people we've ever met. When acceptance letters come, he writes a personal note on every one.

Colgate is almost unparalleled in their admissions marketing in our family's experience. Once you're on their mailing list, they send many interesting--and all different--brochures, factbooks, etc. It is important to remember, though, that it's brilliant marketing and not a guarantee of admission.

CK2308 · 05-23-2008, 08:40 PM

ill admit, thats one of the reasons i decided on colgate. i was accepted a bunch of places and having a difficult time deciding between them. by the end, i had narrowed my list down to three, colgate being one of them. however, i felt like just a number at most schools. colgate, on the other hand, i felt truly welcomed me and wanted me. every letter i received after admission was signed by gary ross saying something like "myname, im so proud of your achievements and i sincerely wish to see you on campus next year!"

its true, gary ross is one of the nicest people ever. i was talking to some people while i was visiting 'gate and they told me a story about gary ross..they said that a few years ago, a boy who was planning on attending colgate in the fall died in a car crash a few months before he would move in. gary ross attended this boys funeral. he really cares about each and every student

ajayc · 05-24-2008, 12:06 AM

Gary Ross is one of the most amazing people. I have been receiving letters from Colgate Congratulating on my acceptance and stuff, all were had a little handwritten note by him.

During my college process I was looking for Colleges with personalized admission process. If your son loved Colgate, I can bet he will love Kalamazoo too. Kzoo acceptance letters are all written separately for each applicant.

ticklemepink · 05-25-2008, 08:41 PM

I'll chime in. It's one of the reasons why I wanted to go to Colgate- I just FELT right at home and wanted. He really does every single note- and no, either he uses a lot of make up or just runs very well on little sleep.

He's just that kind of person who will run up to you as you stand in the line with your class before going to the commencement to remind you of your auction prize (that you win several weeks ago) was ready to be picked up in the admissions office.

Yes, seriously. I flipped out afterwards on the cellphone to my parents trying to get someone to run up to the admissions office to pick up my prize!!!

That man... he has a way of remembering your name and your application. He must have photographic memory.

bluebayou · 05-25-2008, 09:36 PM

^^concur on all comments about the Dean of Admissions. Colgate's Admssion office has a real personal warmth about it, which I have not felt at any other college visited (~20); this personal touch must be a result of his leadership by example.

ajayc · 05-26-2008, 12:03 AM

Quote:

That man... he has a way of remembering your name and your application. He must have photographic memory.

Exactly! One of my friends visited the luncheon and he not only remembered his name but when he introduced him to others he listed out all his achievements in one go!

bluebayou: Do you have any connections with Colgate?

shakennotstirred · 05-26-2008, 01:55 PM

man...dean ross, what a guy. his memory is absolutely insane. if he wasn't a college admissions dean, i swear he'd be hired as google's new database system.

he knew who i was after exchanging a few words during april visit week. and i can't tell you how meaningful his handwritten note was when i got the acceptance package in the mail.

justbumming · 06-12-2008, 01:18 PM

Yeah, he wrote a really nice note on my waitlist letter, and when I declined the offer and said I was attending University of Notre Dame, he wrote back a decently long note wishing me the best and that he thinks I chose a great place to go. Seriously, his kindness and consideration is unmatched.

chubeebo · 06-12-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

So far his only criterion for deciding whether a school might fit him is to examine the cover letter that came in the envelope. If the admissions officer seems to have signed personally, he likes it. If it appears to be a "fake" signature, he doesn't.

just wait until Tulsa sends him a birthday card

VeryHappy · 06-14-2008, 11:56 AM

There's a whole thread on silly things that turned your kid off a school. ("It was raining." "The tour guide wore Birkenstocks.") Maybe we should start a thread with random things that turned kids on to schools.

mythmom · 06-14-2008, 12:05 PM

VeryHappy: Is S2 headed to Colgate?

VeryHappy · 06-15-2008, 09:36 AM

No, no -- S2 is at Dartmouth. Remember Ajay? He and I have become "pen pals" and he is headed to Colgate this Fall.

MVchaser08 · 06-29-2008, 08:25 PM

Upon receiving my acceptance letter to Colgate this past spring, I was wonderfully surprised to see a handwritten note congratulating me as well as citing specific parts of my essay they really liked. Also, after a "non-evaluative" interview at Colgate, I received a personalized postcard from the interviewer who asked if she could help me in any way if I needed during the rest of the application process. Because Colgate was so thoughtful with their handwritten notes on various mail-outs, the school was put amongst my top choices on my college list.