Was that touch really necessary, guys? Emphasis mine.

Dear Mr. Jackson,

The information we have on file for you tells us that at one time
you intended to complete a University of Chicago application.
Usually students who are attracted to this college are people
whose applications prove to be fun to read, and we feel sorry
we never got to read yours.

Now we are prepared to close your file and wish you well as you
choose to attend some other good place. If you indeed made a
decision to forego applying to Chicago this time around, think
of us when you apply to graduate school.

If you are receiving this message despite having submitted an
application via the mail (or thought you submitted your application
online) by the January 3rd deadline, please let us know by February
6th, with some way of confirming that the application was indeed sent.

Please reply directly to this email.

Again, accept our best wishes for your future plans.

The University of Chicago
Office of College Admissions

The rest of the message was fine, obviously. Little bit cheeky there, I don’t see why I should be made to feel so bad that I’m not applying to the University of Chicago. My good friend Meredith Spoto ‘07 will be going there next year, though, so I guess I can’t stay too angry. I have lots of fondness for the place, they didn’t need to twist a dagger in my heart about my not applying, though.

This message reminds me of another question I always have: I wish there were a better way to notify schools of a noninterest. Unless it is no expense or trouble to them to maintain files like this, I expect they would appreciate it too… maybe some sort of ‘common app kill switch’ which would inform them all that you no longer were considering their school. Was there such a general purpose notification to solve Early Decision confusions? I guess this is a pipe-dream for the future of 100% digital admissions. Oh well…

Zuckerberg transcript is done, adding commentary.