<p>Whatever staff member wrote that W&M response (“Frankly, we’re surprised that you applied” !!! ) should be fired. </p>
<p>Truly. That letter, and the ill feeling that it must have produced, and the ripples that surely went out therefrom, may well have caused some (even slight) subsequent drop in applications to W&M. I’d be interested to know if that was the case. Anyone who saw that rejection letter and approved it–or who saw it, did not have authority, but even let the letter go out to rejected applicants without comment–has judgment that should be called into question. THAT wins for “Worst Rejection Letter Ever.” Appalling!!!</p>
<p>Vassar’s is lousy, too (especially, as you point out, when the gender skew makes a lie of its own words). Yeah, I’m sure all the recipients will be very understanding, indeed. Oh. so very, very happy to stand aside for all those kids much better than they were. Just delighted to grit their teeth and applaud for the smiling kids who were cast in the play when they were not; chosen for the cheerleading squad when they were not; crowned prom queen when they were asked to go sell snowcones in the concession stand. (Again, though: Did W&L send out “come-on” materials–letters, postcards, etc.–to this “unqualified applicant,” encouraging him or her to apply? How about Vassar: same question.)</p>