Why do selective schools market?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the real question is, how do you explain to a child that they don't have a chance at a school that appears to be pursuing them?

You show them how to look up the common data set and compare their stats to the admitted students. And explain that colleges are running a business and recruiting a large pool is part of their marketing strategy. It isn't personal. Same as they might get advertising in social media for a car they can't afford.

This. The statistics are there. Part of the problem is also that parents don't understand the statistics, either. They think that applying to 10 schools with 10% acceptance rates means they're bound to be accepted.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

You brought your transcript to a college fair and and admissions officer was there and looked at it and saw you had no chance but enticed you anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

You brought your transcript to a college fair and and admissions officer was there and looked at it and saw you had no chance but enticed you anyway?

I didn't have the transcript in hand (knew my numbers), and yes, they encouraged me anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

You brought your transcript to a college fair and and admissions officer was there and looked at it and saw you had no chance but enticed you anyway?

I didn't have the transcript in hand (knew my numbers), and yes, they encouraged me anyway.

The admissions officer asked you for your GPA, rigor, board scores (interesting you had them as a soph) extracurriculars, and how your recommendations would be, and you told them?

In public? With others standing at the table?

They should not have asked you for that information and you should not have given it to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

It’s a sleazy practice from UofC, and it tarnishes their brand. I’m surprised they do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

You brought your transcript to a college fair and and admissions officer was there and looked at it and saw you had no chance but enticed you anyway?

I didn't have the transcript in hand (knew my numbers), and yes, they encouraged me anyway.

The admissions officer asked you for your GPA, rigor, board scores (interesting you had them as a soph) extracurriculars, and how your recommendations would be, and you told them?

In public? With others standing at the table?

They should not have asked you for that information and you should not have given it to them.

What's your point?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

You brought your transcript to a college fair and and admissions officer was there and looked at it and saw you had no chance but enticed you anyway?

I didn't have the transcript in hand (knew my numbers), and yes, they encouraged me anyway.

The admissions officer asked you for your GPA, rigor, board scores (interesting you had them as a soph) extracurriculars, and how your recommendations would be, and you told them?

In public? With others standing at the table?

They should not have asked you for that information and you should not have given it to them.

What's your point?

Are you the PP?

My point is obvious. The college rep had absolutely no idea whether or not you qualified for admission and was simply doing his job promoting his school (which offers and excellent education but small and not as well known as peers). The idea that what he did was "cruel" is preposterous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the real question is, how do you explain to a child that they don't have a chance at a school that appears to be pursuing them?

You show them how to look up the common data set and compare their stats to the admitted students. And explain that colleges are running a business and recruiting a large pool is part of their marketing strategy. It isn't personal. Same as they might get advertising in social media for a car they can't afford.

This. The statistics are there. Part of the problem is also that parents don't understand the statistics, either. They think that applying to 10 schools with 10% acceptance rates means they're bound to be accepted.

What? No one thinks that (not even me, and I almost failed graduate statistics).

There are absolutely people who think that.

[Anonymous]

Is there really someone here who is defending University of Chicago’s transparently sleazy marketing practices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More applications for
1 lower acceptance rate
2 applications fee profit

And this is the winning answer. Its all about the stats and getting every dollar they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is a hs freshman and must have signed up for some lists, because he's getting marketing material from schools he doesn't have a chance of being admitted to - but because they're advertising, he thinks he does. I know we're not ready for the college search yet, but it's pretty upsetting to me as well. Why do they do this?

It's University of Chicago, right? They're relentless and shameless.

He didn't sign up for anything. He probably took the PSATs, and maybe some AP tests, and indicated that he was open to receiving materials.

+1 My kid received a handful of beautiful brochures from U Chicago and many, many postcards. He had virtually 0% of being accepted. I think the combination of his indicating openness to receive materials and out zip code made him an easy target.

"Easy Target?" You mean a college knows a kid is preparing to go to college so they sent him a brochure educating him about the school? What could you possibly mean by "easy target"? Who are they supposed to send their brochures to?

U Chicago sends their marketing to anyone who checks the SAT/PSAT/ACT box "willing to get info". Ideally they should be targeting only those with at least 1400+. Sending info to a kid who got 1100 on the pSAT is not someone with any shot at UChicago.

I know it shouldn't, but this bothers me a lot.

I still remembering Connecticut College giving me the hard sell at a college fair in 1995. I wanted to go SO badly. Looking back...it was cruel to even imply to a sophomore that they had a shot at admissions there.

Conn College's acceptance rate in 1995 was 52%. That's nothing like the sub 10% acceptance rate schools doing a marketing blitz.

Source: page 22

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The real definition of affirmative action (not the false one people whine about) requires an entity to take action to obtain a diverse pool of applicants. So, to engage in appropriate affirmative action, one must make sure that diverse applicants know how to apply and do not have extra hurdles to applying. So advertising far and wide helps with that.

College fairs at lower income high schools seem like a better way to do that.

They do that too. They cast a net wide and far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are some elite schools hiding their acceptance rates in the last few years?

1) It was creating an unhealtlhy lowest % arms race,
2) it fed the frenzy of applications from prestige seekers creating a ton of fruitless busy work for admissions; and
3) It is causing the applicants they really wanted to hedge their best and take safer ED options elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More applications for
1 lower acceptance rate
2 applications fee profit

And this is the winning answer. Its all about the stats and getting every dollar they can.

No it is not.

Did you not read the post at 05/17/2023 07:40?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there really someone here who is defending University of Chicago’s transparently sleazy marketing practices?

What is "transparently sleazy" about their "marketing practices"?