Last visit was: 20 May 2026, 08:30 It is currently 20 May 2026, 08:30
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
ryguy904
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Last visit: 10 Sep 2013
Posts: 859
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 4
Location: Sunny So Cal
Concentration: Investment Management
Schools:CBS, Cornell, Duke, Ross, Darden
Posts: 859
Kudos: 216
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Raabend
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 16 May 2008
Last visit: 17 Mar 2016
Posts: 884
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 29
Location: Earth
Concentration: Brand
Schools:Cornell '11
Posts: 884
Kudos: 156
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
fatb
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Last visit: 23 Feb 2018
Posts: 212
Own Kudos:
Concentration: 20% From Concentration
Schools:The School that shall not be named
Posts: 212
Kudos: 37
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
bigfernhead
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Last visit: 15 Jun 2010
Posts: 515
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 515
Kudos: 2,149
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
For Penn State, it's true! When I applied during undergrad, I was so sad I received a tiny envelope. But when I opened it, I was accepted! My friend got the big envelope, and he got the boot.

ryguy904
https://online.wsj.com/article/SB124096471555766239.html

A couple of lines from the article that I enjoyed:
Quote:
Stanford University sends a steely "don't call us" message.
Quote:
Another surprise package came from Penn State, which sent the hoped-for "fat envelope" with a rejection letter inside.
Quote:
"...the wording in BU's letter translated to "we made it even easier for you and you STILL couldn't get in."
User avatar
Omne
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Last visit: 07 Apr 2010
Posts: 148
Own Kudos:
Schools:Georgetown, UNC, UCLA, Duke, Wake Forest
Posts: 148
Kudos: 8
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Raabend
Haha, what else could be in the envelope to make it fat?????

It was actually information on other campuses. If I got a fat package and there was a rejection letter inside, I'd go postal!
User avatar
Raabend
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 16 May 2008
Last visit: 17 Mar 2016
Posts: 884
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 29
Location: Earth
Concentration: Brand
Schools:Cornell '11
Posts: 884
Kudos: 156
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Like: "You would be a great fit at Penn State Abington!" ?

Omne
Raabend
Haha, what else could be in the envelope to make it fat?????

It was actually information on other campuses. If I got a fat package and there was a rejection letter inside, I'd go postal!
User avatar
unhedged
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 28 Aug 2007
Last visit: 21 Dec 2012
Posts: 492
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Energy, Analytical Finance, Strategy
Schools:Kellogg Class of 2012
WE 1: Energy Risk Consulting
WE 2: Commodities Finance
Posts: 492
Kudos: 42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
My UG's School of Engineering sent me a small letter letting me know I was invited to an open house for admitted students. Problem was I didn't receive my letter of admission (i.e. big packet) from the school itself yet. That was a really confusing moment, and really bad way to reject someone (if they were invited and didn't get in).
User avatar
Jerz
Joined: 09 Dec 2008
Last visit: 28 Jan 2017
Posts: 1,221
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 17
Concentration: Health Enterprise Management, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, Analytical Consulting, Economics
Schools:Kellogg Class of 2011
GMAT 1: 770 Q49 V47
Posts: 1,221
Kudos: 254
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I don't remember my acceptance letter for undergrad being in a fat envelope. I think it was just a 2-3 pages of info on financial aid and the admitted student weekend.

The one dean brought up a great point though, there's really no way to tell people they haven't been accepted that will be received well by 100% of the rejected applicants. Having had the unpleasant experience of giving rejections to job applicants - some perfectly qualified to do the job - I empathize with the schools and deans.
User avatar
FormerArmyDude
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 06 Aug 2007
Last visit: 25 Oct 2023
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
Posts: 18
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
.
User avatar
unhedged
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 28 Aug 2007
Last visit: 21 Dec 2012
Posts: 492
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Concentration: Energy, Analytical Finance, Strategy
Schools:Kellogg Class of 2012
WE 1: Energy Risk Consulting
WE 2: Commodities Finance
Posts: 492
Kudos: 42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
armycamel
Unhedged, sounds like UCLA back in early-2000. I got the same letter around two months before admissions decisions came out. In my mind, I was like "Whisky-Tango-Foxtrot, over!" It really confused me, not knowing for sure if I was accepted to UCLA!

unhedged
My UG's School of Engineering sent me a small letter letting me know I was invited to an open house for admitted students. Problem was I didn't receive my letter of admission (i.e. big packet) from the school itself yet. That was a really confusing moment, and really bad way to reject someone (if they were invited and didn't get in).


Haha yep, it was indeed UCLA.
User avatar
Omne
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Last visit: 07 Apr 2010
Posts: 148
Own Kudos:
Schools:Georgetown, UNC, UCLA, Duke, Wake Forest
Posts: 148
Kudos: 8
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
My acceptance letter when I applied to transfer out of Tulane didn't come in a fat envelope either. I had been rejected from five schools, so when I got the small letter I thought I was doomed. The rest, as they say, is history.