Do colleges send emails to everyone?

Recently, I've been getting tons of emails from colleges, and I'm wondering if they send emails to everyone or if it's based on some kind of criteria? Is it a good sign that they're interested in me or is it just marketing? Thanks in advance!

It's pretty common for high school students to receive emails from colleges, especially during their junior and senior years. These emails are generally part of the colleges' marketing strategies to attract prospective applicants and spread awareness about their programs and offerings.

The majority of colleges purchase mailing lists from organizations like College Board or ACT based on specific criteria such as PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores, GPA, or specific interests listed on student surveys. While these criteria can vary from one college to another, being on a college's mailing list does not necessarily signal particular interest in you as an applicant or guarantee admission chances. It's important to keep in mind that colleges typically send out these emails to a large number of students, so it's not exclusive.

Although the emails might not indicate increased admissions chances, they may still provide useful information about the colleges, such as upcoming events, special programs, or unique features that could help you decide if a college is the right fit for you.

In summary, while it's a common practice for colleges to send out marketing emails based on certain criteria, being on their mailing list isn't a direct indication of their interest or your admissions chances. It's important to focus on building a strong application, researching colleges, and finding the right fit for your academic and personal needs.