Can someone Explain the Deal Behind College Mail?

pch340
Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:01:34 +0000

Since the beginning of Junior year, I have been receiving non-stop mail from colleges, which I realize is normal, but the caliber of these colleges is not. So far I have received a letter from every Ivy besides Harvard, countless letters from schools like UVA, Wash&Lee, Vassar, Duke, etc.

But what the letters say is the most amusing part. This one from Princeton goes like this,

*"Dear Mark,

Your academic achievements suggest that you are looking at the nation’s most outstanding universities. I invite you to consider Princeton University."*

One from Boston College,

“Based on your accomplishments to date and your future potential, I would like to invite you to explore Boston college as a place to realize your educational aspirations”

My academic accomplishments!? My GPA is a 3.4!!
I mean I know they’re sending these letters out to everyone, but couldn’t they bother to at least weed out the students who are truly unqualified?

So does anyone know the basis on which college mail is distributed? Would it have something to do with the fact that I indicate URM status on official test materials? Are they just shooting off mail to anyone?