<p>A lot of it is automatic. Colleges can purchase the names and addresses of students (who check the box) who get certain test scores or have certain GPAs or what have you, and then they just do auto mailings to all of the names they get sent. The idea is to try to get their name in front of as many eyeballs as possible, as often as possible, so that the image of your college and its name, are in the forefront of the students mind and they're familiar with it. So don't confuse getting mail with "woo-ing", it's not neccessarily a sign of interest in you personally, just a sign that you fall within that college's chosen test score window. </p>
<p>Some colleges do fly students out on their dime, but for most students, that's only after they have applied and been accepted, which is when the serious wooing starts frankly, if there is to be any. Most students, unless they are heavily recruited athletes, do not get to travel to the college for free. </p>
<p>I know at Smith there's a pre-admission program called "Women of Distinction" which aims at getting high achieving women of color to apply to Smith. In the fall, they send out applications to high school guidance counselors and ask the counselors to identify one or two students who are very high achievers and get them to apply (students can also request an app and apply themselves). The application for WOD is basically a regular Smith College application in miniature, you have to submit a transcript, at least one recommendation (maybe two? it's been a while I forget), I think there are two short essays, you have to write about your ECs. The students who are accepted to WOD are then flown (or bused or trained) to Smith for a few days. </p>
<p>Some other colleges may have similar programs to that, or special programs for attracting say, musicians, artists, kids with talents for science and math. Depends on what populations the school thinks it needs to put the extra effort into attracting. And there are some schools that don't feel they have to put effort into attracting anyone at all. </p>
<p>Use the mailings for what they are intended for: to give you ideas of particular college choices you hadn't previously considered or even heard about. Read them over, see what they offer, try to form some idea of the wide array of choices out there and what you're looking for in that menu. Otherwise, don't take them too seriously. And don't worry about being wooed. For most, it never happens, but they still become happy accepted students at the college of their choice.</p>
