The fact that colleges are utilizing “fast track” applications has started to garner a great deal of attention lately. In the New York Times, for example, one blogger seems to be almost offended that colleges are sending out pre-approval applications that are similar to those that are sent out to credit card customers. But, is it really a bad idea for colleges to send out these applications to potential students?

There are two different sides to this debate. Among those who are against these applications, the biggest concern is that the applications may prevent students from exploring all of their possibilities and finding the best fit. After all, if a college has gone through the trouble of sending out an application that is already filled out and has also offered to waive application fees, applying to that college suddenly becomes quite attractive.

Critics are also concerned that these applications are misleading to potential students. Since the applications bear names such as “Distinguished Candidate Application (as with the University of Pacific in California) or “Exclusive Scholar Application” (as with the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York), it leaves the impression that applicants are basically guaranteed a seat at the school. In reality, many of the schools that send out these applications accept less than half of those who respond.

Another criticism of these applications is that they can be misleading in terms of the type of “deal” they are offering. For example, some of these applications indicate that application fees are being waived or that students who receive the application do not have to complete an essay when, in reality, no student who applies to the school has to pay a fee or write an essay.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that these types of tactics are used with the direct mail campaigns being launched by these colleges. After all, many of these campaigns are being spearheaded by Royall and Company, which is a direct-marketing firm based in Richmond, Virginia. The founder of the company, Bill Royal, was once a political strategist and has specialized in campaign donor mailings for numerous national candidates, including Bill Clinton. As such, it only stands to reason that Royal and his associates have a great deal of experience with doing promotional bulk mailings.

Not everyone has such a negative attitude about these mailings, however, as they do seem to benefit many people involved. The colleges, for example, say that sending out these mailing has helped them increase the diversity within their schools. Not only has it helped them with diversifying in terms of gender and race, it has also helped them draw in more students from other geographic areas.

Where students are concerned, the applications help to simplify the process of applying for college. Furthermore, many appreciate having the applications sent to their homes, as it helps provide them with additional information about schools they may have previously known little about. So, as long as they realize that receiving an application is not a guarantee of acceptance and so long as they make sure to explore all of their options in order to find the college that is best for them, it should be a win-win situation for all.