Re:For Sale: Sat-Takers’ Names. Colleges Buy Student Data an...
by GCA10 on Wednesday November 06, 2019 @02:20PM
(#21466024)
The memories come flooding back.
Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) was the most persistent in my day. They sent a 45 rpm record extolling all of their fine programs. In a moment of weakness, I put it on the turntable and was serenaded by the chance to study mortuary science on their campus.
It was a great tension release for the rest of the college cycle. Anytime an over-curious relative asked me about my college outlook, the answer was: "I'm going to Southern Illinois to study mortuary science."
That ended the conversation nice and quick.
One day, my dad glanced in the trash. It was a small box with a fighter jet on it. I had assumed it was an Air Force recruiting package (some of the flyers were... robust) and had tossed it.
Turns out, it was from Gillette. "Now you're a man. Use a man's razor." I laughed out loud. Gillette had bought PSAT scores just to get the birthday of males to advertise to them, which I thought was hilarious.
They made a loyal customer that day. (Loyalty of a 17 year old is pretty cheap to purchase but also worthless.)