The college admissions process seems to get more ridiculous every day. From hiring private counselors to reading the U.S. News and World Report college ranking list like the Bible, many high school students and their parents appear willing to do whatever it takes to catch the eye of the admissions staff and glean an acceptance letter from that oh-so-prestigious school.

The latest tactic: thank you notes.

Apparently, there is a growing trend of prospective students sending thank you notes to admissions counselors and tour guides after a college visit.

The New York Times reported last week that one student even went so far as to send M&M’s in the school’s colors, inscribed with her name, to the counselor, with a note attached, “Keep me on the tip of your tongue when reviewing applications.”

This has simply gone too far.

College admission should be based on academic records and essays, not manners, and certainly not monogrammed M&M’s and thank you notes.

Though that certainly gets the point across.

Thank you notes have become a lost art.

It is rare these days to receive personal thank you notes from people after giving a gift, showing hospitality or granting a favor.

Perhaps this should be the beginning of the revival of the thank you note. But they should be sent truly as thank yous.

It’s interesting how people are suddenly willing to write thank you notes when it’s in their own self-interest.

Students should rely less on small things such as thank you notes to impress colleges and instead focus on their time in high school – and making that something to be proud of and worthy of college admission.

Universities don’t need students who know how to be extravagant, but students who know how to impress without trying by simply being themselves.

What will the trend be next year, fruit baskets?

Jillian Hutchison is a junior news-editorial journalism major from Omaha, Neb.