Evaluating The Practice Of Emailing Colleges For Free Promotional Items

Emailing colleges and universities to request free promotional merchandise is a practice that has circulated among students and prospective applicants for years. While some students report success in receiving items such as t-shirts, stickers, and pens, the practice is not universally supported by institutions. The availability of these items generally depends on the marketing strategies of individual schools, their current inventory of promotional goods, and the context in which the request is made.

Current Trends and Institutional Policies

The practice of emailing colleges for free items, particularly t-shirts, appears to have been more common in the past. According to discussions on forums like College Confidential, the trend of students emailing admissions offices to request free t-shirts was popular prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, participants in these discussions suggest that this practice has largely diminished. One user noted that after the pandemic, the trend seemed to have stopped, and their own children received "exactly zero" from admissions offices via this method.

Institutions generally do not maintain formal programs for distributing free merchandise simply upon request via email. Instead, promotional items are typically distributed through specific channels: * College Fairs and Campus Visits: Admissions officers often have small promotional items, such as stickers, buttons, and pens, available for prospective students who visit their booths at college fairs or attend on-campus tours. * Accepted Student Days: Students who attend accepted student days or campus visits may receive t-shirts and other swag. * Enrollment Confirmation: Some colleges only provide t-shirts to students who have paid their enrollment deposits or purchased them at the campus bookstore.

While most schools have moved away from fulfilling unsolicited email requests, there are anecdotal reports of exceptions. For example, one user mentioned that the University of Chicago would send a t-shirt if asked, based on experience in 2021. Another noted that their student’s committed college sent an email offering a "free gift," which turned out to be a t-shirt, several weeks after the commitment was made.

Strategies for Requesting Items

Despite the decline in this practice, some sources still suggest that students can attempt to request items. The general advice involves identifying the admissions office's contact information and sending a polite, concise email.

A suggested strategy involves: 1. Identifying the Target: Locate the email address for the admissions office on the college's website. 2. Drafting the Request: Write a short, honest email expressing interest in the school. Successful emails reportedly mention that the student is looking forward to continuing their education, wants to help promote the school, and highlights that they are a good student. 3. Providing Logistics: Include the mailing address and t-shirt size to facilitate shipping if the school agrees to the request.

One source cites a story of a student who allegedly emailed every college in the United States and received approximately 800 t-shirts. However, this source also notes that success is not guaranteed and depends on factors such as the student's location, the quality of the letter, and the availability of inventory at the time of the request.

Impact on Admissions and Perception

While receiving free merchandise can be a perk, experts advise that students should not prioritize this when applying to colleges. The primary focus should remain on finding a school that fits academic and extracurricular interests. Soliciting free items is a marketing transaction and does not influence admissions decisions.

Furthermore, colleges frequently engage in mass marketing campaigns to reach prospective students. Emails from colleges are often triggered by data sharing from standardized tests like the PSAT. These emails are intended to encourage applications and increase enrollment numbers rather than to offer free goods. Students should be aware that most communications are generic and not personal invitations.

Managing College Communications

Prospective students often receive a high volume of emails from colleges. It is recommended to review these emails carefully to identify schools that may be a good fit. While most are mass messages, some may be personalized, particularly if the student has previously interacted with the school (e.g., attending a college fair, touring the campus, or completing an interview).

If a student is interested in a school, replying to an email to ask for more information can be beneficial. This signals genuine interest to the admissions office and may place the student on an active mailing list for future updates. However, this should be done out of genuine interest in the school, not solely in hopes of receiving free merchandise.

Conclusion

The practice of emailing colleges for free t-shirts is largely a relic of pre-pandemic trends and is rarely successful today. Most colleges distribute promotional materials through official channels such as campus visits, college fairs, and accepted student events. While a polite email may occasionally yield a response or a small item, students should not rely on this method for acquiring merchandise. The most effective way to engage with colleges is through genuine interaction regarding the application process and school fit.

Sources

1. Collegevine
2. College Confidential
3. Free College Shirts
4. Say Hello College