What’s the point of this letter?

[Anonymous]

A college admissions office sent my kid a letter congratulating him on his accomplishments and thanking him for applying to and considering X college as his potential home in August 2022. The next paragraph is standard promo info about how great the school is. The last paragraph focuses on connecting with the admissions counselor, registering for a campus visit, and learning more about admissions requirements.

He already applied.

This doesn’t sound like an admissions letter.

Ball is in their court, so I don’t understand the purpose of this letter.

He will reach out when he gets home from school, but I’m curious if others have seen this? Is it standard? I mean, why mail the thick brochure if he’s already applied?

This college stuff is so weird!

PS - I texted my son during to lunch to flag the mail arrived, and he asked me to open it.

[Anonymous]

Whatever. I'd ignore it. Definitely wouldn't "reach out."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever. I'd ignore it. Definitely wouldn't "reach out."

?

The letter literally says to connect with his admissions counselor, and you don’t think he should reach out?

Is this a litmus test to see who is really interested vs a safety school?

[Anonymous]

It's just advertising. No need whatsoever to respond to it. Only connect with the admission counselor if he has a sincere question that he cannot find the answer to from the website.

[Anonymous]

I'm no insider, but my kid went through the application process last year. I look at these types of notes as opportunities for the student to develop more of a relationship with the school. That might help the student's admissions chances (especially if the school considers demonstrated interest), and if your child is accepted, it might increase the likelihood that he will choose to attend (which benefits the school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whatever. I'd ignore it. Definitely wouldn't "reach out."

?

The letter literally says to connect with his admissions counselor, and you don’t think he should reach out?

Is this a litmus test to see who is really interested vs a safety school?

^this. Has he visited before or interacted with the school in any other way? They are probably trying to gauge interest level.

[Anonymous]

Colleges, even highly selective ones, advertise to their applicants to improve yield. It's just spam. No need to get excited about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges, even highly selective ones, advertise to their applicants to improve yield. It's just spam. No need to get excited about it.

I’m not excited about it. I just don’t understand the point unless their goal is to determine interest by follow up—and posters are suggesting not to follow up. Weird.

[Anonymous]

It depends. Was it a form letter? If so, it's' just an opportunity to promote the school. One of my kids once received a hand written letter from the admissions officer similar to what you wrote but very personalized: writing about how my daughter would enjoy things about the school because of specific interests my daughter had, per her application. We saw it as a very good sign and, yes, my daughter was admitted.

[Anonymous]

If the typical DC kid is applying to 10+ schools, they still have to win you over even if they accept you. The sooner the kid makes an emotional connection to them, the better in their eyes. Yield.

[Anonymous]

We got all excited about a big UChicago envelope that came long after DD applied. It was a generic admissions ad. She did not check the box on the SAT so did not get all the college mail. They must have known she applied already.

[Anonymous]

If it’s from William & Mary, it’s called a “likely letter” meaning you DC is likely to be accepted. I have no idea why they do it. Thanks f you google dcum likely letter you will find old threads in this topic. So I guess Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whatever. I'd ignore it. Definitely wouldn't "reach out."

?

The letter literally says to connect with his admissions counselor, and you don’t think he should reach out? Is this a litmus test to see who is really interested vs a safety school?

Yeah, I don't think he should reach out. If the school needed more info to decide whether or not to admit him, they would email that. Not send a form letter, which is what this sounds like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s from William & Mary, it’s called a “likely letter” meaning you DC is likely to be accepted. I have no idea why they do it. Thanks f you google dcum likely letter you will find old threads in this topic. So I guess Congrats!

No W&M likely letter is a very specific “cypher” that clearly says to expect good news on the App. They don do it fo ED. Only RD. It’s a 4+ month wait for RD and they are keeping top kids engaged. ED is only a 4-5 week wait.

https://wmblogs.wm.edu/admiss/deciphering-the-cypher/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it’s from William & Mary, it’s called a “likely letter” meaning you DC is likely to be accepted. I have no idea why they do it. Thanks f you google dcum likely letter you will find old threads in this topic. So I guess Congrats!

While this is a possibility worth considering, none of the language OP has provided so far would suggest a likely letter.

For OP, likely letters in the fall are not common outside of athletic recruits and hooked applicants. W&M is one exception; in recent years, this has been a postcard.