ANYONE get this letter from Princeton?

R124687
Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:54:56 +0000

Colleges do “purchase” standardized testing results. And they do recruit you because of it. It’s only one part of your application, but it’s a relatively cheap and easy way for them to start a search. And, they’d love to have every high achieving student apply to their school…of course.

So, yes you’re being targeted. But they know nothing about the rest of your app. Though odds are with them that a high scoring SAT taker will also have a pretty stellar overall application.

1, So, if the contact was via e-mail it costs them NOTHING to contact you (and very little even if it was snail mail).


They MIGHT get a fabulous application who might not have otherwise considered them.
You’re paying for the application too, so why WOULDN’T they want your app?
It increases their elite status if they DO reject more high achieving applications.


It’s a no brainer. Of COURSE they want you to apply. And you may be exactly what Princeton wants. But don’t fool yourself into thinking “Oh, with my SAT alone they think they’re going to admit me!”. They’re playing the numbers, as are all schools. My D took her SAT as a Jr and only got 2210 and she’s STILL inundated every day with this type of mail. And it HAS made her take a 2nd look at a couple of those schools, so it’s done its job.

Good luck to you!