Why do so many IVY league Colleges send me letters/emails?

Applying to College
1

Before I start this post I want to say I am by no means a special student, special in my area yes (South Dakota), but overall not special.
rank 1/400
GPA 4.121 UW: 4.0
ACT 31 (one sitting)
Decent EC’s (nothing special)
Hooks African American (and middle eastern), Early Grad while having good stats (sometimes its a hook), from south Dakota (sometimes)

Anyways from the surface I by no means am special, so why do all these colleges send me letters advertising, asking me to apply, after their application deadlines?

2

They are trying to garner more applicants in order to artificially depress their acceptance rates. It doesn’t mean they are trying to recruit you.

3

That seems rather sinister!

4

Unfortunately, colleges are a business and appearing more selective helps them.

5

They are trying to get their hands on another app. They don’t need more apps to select their freshman class but they persist because the more apps they get, the lower their acceptance rate becomes and they want to be sure to remain in the single digits and for them, the lower the better.

6

Don’t want to sideline this thread but this is the U.S. Census Definition of African American/Black

But as others stated, it is all marketing based on what you checked off on the PSAT/ACT exams. Especially if you checked that you want to receive information. It is all marketing

7

I’m both middle eastern and African american, (mixed race technically black/white), anyways why would they advertise after their application options were closed?

8

For the same reason Kohls send me a catalog even though I don’t need any pants.

9

You know how you check that box authorizing college board to do stuff with your info? One of those things is sell your email address to schools so they can email all the people who make it through certain filters.

Do you mark anywhere on the ACT what year you are in school or just your age? I think it’s just the latter and based on that, they probably assume you’re someone who isn’t applying this year.

10

That’s what I’m thinking but I’m not sure why it’s selectively (only) IVY league/high end colleges but in the end it’s probably just advertisement.

11

They are assuming you will apply next year, and they have extra marketing money left in this years budget. Add to the circular file.

12

Poster @Postmodern Kohls gave up on our family, you should feel special. @Jimbobjim With your rank, GPA & hook, you do have a shot at these schools.

13

Valedictorian, underrepresented minority, and from SOUTH DAKOTA…I’m surprised the Ivies aren’t camped out on your front lawn.

14

The Dakotas are the most underrepresented at the Ivies. When I attended my daughter Freshmen convocation, they mentioned that every states are represented except one of the Dakotas.

15

You actually do have a good shot at these schools! I’d say just try to increase your ACT by a few points, and maybe get involved in an activity that is associated with your major.

16

I think the OP is a senior. @Jim BobJim, sounds like maybe you weren’t interested in Ivies, or didn’t apply to Ivies, or thought u couldn’t get into or afford the Ivies. If so, and you now ARE interested, by all means think about taking a year off and applying again next year. From what I can tell, when elite-college admissions directors dream at night, they imagine themselves skipping down a yellow brick road, singing, "Valedictorian, URM, Dakota, oh my!’’ They are up to their ears in aggressive brainiacs from NY, NJ, & California. But they are all looking for you! And once they got you, they would ensure you got plenty of financial aid &/or academic guidance if you needed them.

17

Thanks for the nice and insightful comments! In all honesty I’m not too interested in IVY league schools (far too expensive for me), and far too competitive. I’m actually a Junior graduating with Seniors so I am registered as a senior, (took almost all the AP classes in my high school, and DR program is not good, I also was never a fan of the people so no point in continuing with HS in SD). I’ve already applied to the colleges I want, now its just a matter to see if I get in, dang if I knew I was eligible for these schools I probably would’ve applied. my parents could afford an IVY league education, but they would be far too expensive for a premed school. Oh well I’m just hoping I make into Georgia Tech for BME!

18

Yeah, after reading everything I think they actually want you/hope you’ll apply next year. For most of us, though (overrepresented locations/races/resumes/etc.), it’s junk mail. Good luck and let us know where you end up!

19

Ivies are need based only and meet full need so they would only give OP what they determine his family needs and they would do the exact same thing for the braniacs from NY/NJ/CA as well. That part wouldn’t be any different for OP.

20

We’ll see what the future holds for me, as for now these letters just appear to be adds, hopefully I get into GT, but hope is all I have for now. I’ll update everyone what I decide to do college wise when the time is appropriate, thanks again for all the helpful and insightful replies!