Why does UChicago keep sending me mail?

Question

So for the past few weeks, I’ve been getting a bunch of emails and physical brochures from UChicago. I’m honestly kind of confused because I never really expressed any interest in their school specifically, aside from maybe putting them down as one of the schools that could contact me on the SAT. 

Is it normal for colleges to do this for a lot of students, or does it actually mean something regarding my chances if I ended up applying? I’m trying to figure out if this kind of mail means they think I’m a strong candidate or if they just send these things to tons of people. Anyone else experiencing this (especially with UChicago)?

Accepted Answer

UChicago (and many other universities) are well known for sending a high volume of mail and emails to prospective students. What you’re experiencing is completely normal and happens to thousands of students each year who may have checked a box to receive information from colleges on tests like the SAT or ACT. When you indicate you’re open to being contacted, the College Board sells your information—which includes your contact details, scores, and sometimes basic interests—to a wide range of schools.

The purpose of these mailings is to market the school and encourage more students to apply. UChicago, in particular, aggressively recruits applicants by sending newsletters, brochures, and even personalized emails to students all over the country and internationally. They cast a very wide net to boost both their application numbers and the diversity of their applicant pool. 

Receiving these mailings does not give any special indication about your chances of admission if you decide to apply. The vast majority of students who get these emails will not ultimately be accepted, since the admissions process at highly selective schools like UChicago is still extremely competitive. It is not a sign that you are being specifically targeted as a top admit—they likely send similar mailings to students with a certain standardized test score range, GPA, or who expressed interest in certain majors.

For example, a student finishing their junior year might score a 1420 on the SAT and suddenly start getting mail from UChicago, Vanderbilt, and other elite schools. This doesn’t mean the schools have reviewed their academic profile in detail; it just means they fit into a recruitment category and received mass communication.

If you are interested in UChicago, the mailings can be a good way to learn more about their offerings. But don’t feel pressured or assume it gives you an edge. If not, you can simply unsubscribe or recycle the mail.

So, you’re not alone. UChicago is known for sending out a LOT of recruiting material each year to many students—nothing to read into regarding your admissions chances.