(Pixabay)

Two and a half years ago, when I opted into the ACT’s Educational Opportunity Service it seemed rather harmless, as it released one’s contact information to colleges and other educational opportunities. But soon enough, the service’s emails became excessive.

As a result, I am here to warn everyone to not fall into this trap: never fill in the yes bubble when it appears on standardized testing.

At first, the emails seemed promising, a testament to the work that one has put in, and when a school happens to be well-known, it makes the email all the more lucrative. But this does not make a difference whether it’s Paul from DePaul wanting one to reach out about undergraduate applications or Case Western asking one to attend yet another one of its college panels

These marketing schemes reach millions of students across the world, according to U.S. News. More often than not, schools decide to send emails to students regardless of whether they fill the criteria for applicants or their interests. Engineering colleges will send emails to prospective psychology students, marine biology schools will contact those interested in computer science, and the list only continues. 

In the words of Ms. Eden during PSAT testing, “I do not recommend filling in that bubble unless you want to be inundated with emails”.