"The Postcard with the Coffee Stain" Anonymous

One of the first pieces of mail I ever received from The University of Chicago grossed me out. It was the size of a postcard, folded up, and had a big coffee stain right on the front. I figured that either a) the mailwoman had spilled coffee on it or b) the admissions staff at the University of Chicago had used it as a coaster prior to mailing it out. Obviously, this did not give me a very good impression of the University, until I was smart enough to actually look at the stain and realize that it wasn’t actually the outline of a take-out coffee cup. It was meant to look like one, however; so congratulations to your graphic arts department for fooling at least one of the recipients of that postcard.

So what is the significance of that coffee stain? Well, it persuaded me to open the postcard to find out why there was a big brown ring on the front. And then I was persuaded to find out more about the college that had sent me this piece of mail, which persuaded me to apply to that college based on what I had discovered.

I discovered a school that takes great pride in its location, students, and faculty, for which it cannot be blamed. I discovered a school that ensures that all of its students are well-versed in all academic...