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<p>If this is true, if parents need to know the “code” in order to write a letter that would catch certain adcoms’ attention, color me nauseated. If I wrote an honest, heartfelt letter about my child and it didn’t resonate with an adcom, so be it. I wouldn’t have the patience to learn how to read the tea leaves of admission policies at any school, and I know my D wouldn’t want or expect me to. As in romance, it ain’t no fun if you have to work too hard to make a college want you. After a certain point, if being yourself is not good enough (for parent writers or for student applicants), then maybe it’s time to move on.</p>