By Madeline Master

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are bombarded daily with countless emails from colleges all vying for attention. But really, how helpful are these emails when trying to choose a suitable college?  Do they really help narrow down the choices? It seems like they all say the same exact thing— “Come visit us!” “Why would you go anywhere else?” “Thinking about college?”­—without providing any specific information to entice one to visit their campus or differentiate them from any other higher learning institution.

“I’m not even sure where or how the colleges that send me emails got my contact information. I get so many random emails from the same colleges too,” said North Farmington High School junior Anna Waldron.

Most emails offer to send tools and tips to assist with the college selection process, neglecting specific information about their own school. What use are these college planners if these higher learning institutions aren’t giving any of their own information to prospective students to help organize and persuade you to attend their college?

“I receive an average of fifteen emails a day from colleges I have never even heard of. I wouldn’t mind it if they gave me information specific to their college, but usually they just want to send me college planners,” explained Mercy High School junior Nicole Di Ponio. “But, I get excited when my phone buzzes for no reason,” she laughed.

Sure, these colleges can get their name out there but their reputation and qualities remain unknown to many. If colleges are going to continue to send out the mass emails that they do, they need to include specific, insightful information about their school which will help with the college selection process.

“I get so many emails from colleges, most that I am not even remotely interested in. Usually none of them give me any information about the school, so they are just a waste of space,” said Notre Dame Prep junior Lauren Caramagno.

As a general consensus confirms, emails from college do little to promote their school and all they have to offer. Receiving information and brochures in the mail are far more effective in selecting the best college to attend.