<p>It sounds like some Harry Potter talk.</p>
<p>Or Star Wars.</p>
<p>Or Judaism.</p>
<p>LOL ZamZam</p>
<p>I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but UVA’s rejection is a little on the harsh side.</p>
<p>“Our process is holistic meaning that we do not use forumlas and ratings, but rather our own professional judgement on which students seem to be best qualified. We are looking for students who have challenged themselves in their school work and have contributed to the community around them.”</p>
<p>It seems that they treat their rejected students as unintelligent applicants who didn’t realize what they were getting into or that they were applying to a very well-respected university.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m just bitter…</p>
<p>Cooper Union’s is really bare bones. It’s essentially “Congrats. You’re in. Fill out the forms.” (Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating, but still.)</p>
<p>Dartmouth’s rejection was surprisingly nice, I didn’t feel upset at all. A good line was “this [admissions process] is one of the few times we wished our school was larger”</p>
<p>Penn’s rejection was REALLY nice…</p>
<p>Dear Kyle,</p>
<p>I am sorry to notify you that after reviewing your application thoroughly, our selection committee is unable to offer you admission to the University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 2012. All aspects of your application, the academic and the non-academic, were considered carefully and compared to those of the rest of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most difficult and displeasing part of my job is writing similar letters to thousands of students like you whose accomplishments are promising and exciting. I assure you that the selection committee gave your application every consideration, but, because of an unprecedented number of outstanding applicants we have to deny admission to a large majority of the remarkable students who seek admission to Penn. Most of our applicants are qualified to pursue successfully a program of study at Penn; however, only a relatively small percentage can be admitted.</p>
<p>We are pleased to have received your application to our University. I am sincerely sorry to disappoint you, yet trust that you will have other opportunities to attend another very good college. I wish you the best in the future.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Eric J. Kaplan
Interim Dean of Admissions</p>
<p>emily83190…you are so right about UVA’s rejection letter. I just love the end part</p>
<p>We deeply appreciate your interest in the University of VA and I hope that the choice you make for another college is a good match for you.</p>
<p>WHAT! - A Good Match for you. - OUCH!</p>
<p>But no lie…I will still apply in four years for their graduate program! UVA is an excellent school!</p>
<p>So how about a dose of Cooper Union rejection letter for you:</p>
<p>Dear _______:
Unfortunately, I am unable to offer you admission to The Cooper Union for next fall.</p>
<p>Our deliberations have been concluded. All of us continue to be impressed by the outstanding academic and creative talents of all our applicants, but we have a limited number of openings. Generally, we admit less than ten percent of all applicants.</p>
<p>I wish you continued success in the future and especially in your academic career.</p>
<p>Sincerely, Mitchell L. Lipton, Dean of Admissions and Records</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>Ouch. That was succinct.</p>
<p>Stupid Tufts!
Dear *****:</p>
<p>Thank you for submitting an application for admission to the Class of 2012 at Tufts University. The Selection Committee has completed its review of your academic and personal credentials, and I regret to inform you that your application has been denied.</p>
<p>This was a particularly difficult decision for us to reach. Tufts received a record applicant pool this year and competition for the limited number of places in our first-year class was especially keen. In the end, the Committee faced many difficult choices as we reviewed candidates and shaped our next freshman class.</p>
<p>I know it is never easy to receive this sort of letter. The Committee appreciates the compliment of your interest in Tufts and offers its best wishes for a successful and memorable undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Wow Volcomwave. Penn’s rejection does look nice. I like the second paragraph.
Cooper Union, on the other hand…</p>
<p>Northwestern’s was pretty sweetly apologetic, although with the statement from the Dean (which was a little redundant of the letter, also written by the Dean…) it almost got to be a bit much. Almost sycophantic. On the other hand, I complained when Brandeis’ felt too short. That’s the thing with rejection letters. You spend months on your application and then you’re like, “That’s it? Three paragraphs and the relationship’s over?”</p>
<p>I don’t know how many other schools do this anymore, but I know Seattle U sends a normal-sized letter first, even if you’re accepted, and they include little tidbits about your application (along the lines of “your accomplishments in [activity] are noteworthy” or something about your essay). And then they send the enrollment stuff later.</p>
<p>Yeah I didn’t like Tufts’ letter either. Sort of curt.</p>
<p>George Washington’s was pretty nice. They actually give you two acceptance letters in one folder (written by two different people). They basically talk about the history of the school and all the opportunities here etc… and give you a portrait of GW.</p>
<p>Here is Cornell’s rejection letter.</p>
<p>Dear XXXX:</p>
<p>Thank you for your application to Cornell University. We regret to have to tell you that we are unable to offer you admission to Cornell. </p>
<p>We understand that this is not the decision you were hoping to receive from Cornell. Given our very large and competitive applicant pool, it is not possible to offer admission to all candidates who would benefit from a Cornell education. </p>
<p>We wish you the best as you pursue your collegiate studies.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Jason Locke
Director
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Cornell University</p>
<p>Columbia’s rejection letter, which I thought was pretty nice, considering the circumstances…</p>
<p>Dear Amanda,</p>
<p>The Committee on Admissions has carefully reviewed your application to Columbia University, and we are sorry to inform you we cannot offer you a place in Columbia’s Class of 2012. This year, over 22,000 candidates applied for places in the first-year class, making this the most difficult selection process in our history. The many strengths of the entire applicant pool – as demonstrated by scholastic successes achieved, by community service performed, by activities pursued, by essays written and by books read – made the selection process more competitive than simple numbers could possibly indicate. Indeed, while we are gratified by the number of candidates seeking the excitement and challenge of the Columbia experience, the size of the pool sadly compels us to disappoint a great many talented and appealing young people.</p>
<p>We want you to know that our decision in no way reflects a lack of confidence in your ability to achieve success in your college plans and on through life. Our experience is that the vast majority of students who do not gain admission here go on to distinguish themselves at fine colleges and universities throughout the world, and we are confident that you will do so as well. We must make clear, however, that since our decisions are made after many hours of intense deliberation, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions cannot consider any review of your decision.</p>
<p>We appreciate your interest in Columbia and wish you the best in your pursuit of higher education.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
Jessica Marinaccio
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions</p>
<p>@ashlieh : Ugh horrible!</p>
<p>Georgetown’s rejection letter. Not too bad, but not really nice either. What irked me a little was that it said “[we] were disappointed that you could not be included.” Oh, really…you were disappointed? What about me? I’m sure they really care. That line just sounded insincere to me…lol, or maybe I’m just a tiny bit bitter about my only rejection (waitlists sorta don’t count yet?).</p>
<hr>
<p>The committee on Admissions has completed its review of applicants to the Class of 2012 at Georgetown university. Following a very careful consideration of your application, I am sorry to inform you that it will not be possible to offer you a place in the first year class.</p>
<p>Admissions committees considered more than 18,600 candidates for an entering class of 1,580 first year students. As a result of this high level of competition, less than 3,400 of the many well-qualified candidates could be offered admission, representing approximately 18% of the applicant pool. Please be assured that the faculty, staff and student members of the Admissions Committee carefully reviewed the credentials and recommendations submitted with your application and were disappointed that you could not be included among those admitted.</p>
<p>The interest you have shown in Georgetown is deeply appreciated. We do wish you every success with your further education.</p>
<p>Haha… I got a kick out of UBC’s acceptance letter… it had a big “YES!!” stamped across the front.</p>
<p>I dunno if it’s been said already, but I think the last paragraph of Caltech’s rejection was pretty nice:</p>
<p>Dear XXXX,</p>
<p>On behalf of the staff, faculty and students on the Admission Committee, I would like to thank you for the time and effort taken in completing your application to Caltech. It is with regret that the Admissions Committee is unable to offer you a place in Caltech’s Class of 2012. </p>
<p>Given the number of highly qualified students who apply to Caltech each yearand the very few places available, many talented students must be turned away. </p>
<p>In light of the outstanding achievements and credentials you presented to Caltech, we have no doubt that you will have tremendous success as you pursue a demanding collegiate education. I encourage you to pursue your educational options with the same thoughtfulness with which you considered Caltech. </p>
<p>Sincerely,<br>
Richard W. Bischoff
Director of Admissions</p>