Confusion about Acceptance Letters & Honors Program

<p>My son was accepted recently to the Swanson School of Engineering. The acceptance letter did not mention honors. We called the admissions office and they said that that decision will be made and arrive separately ("normally" mid-February). However, we know from reading these boards that some people are accepted with their initial letter, and some receive it a week or two later.... so I suppose the real shoo-ins hear earlier? My son seems likely but not guaranteed to be accepted to Honors (2250 SATs, other good stats). He applied in early November, got the "we liked your essay" email, and he was accepted into Swanson within ten day of applying. Just confused about their process of notifying people for Honors, scholarships, Chancellor program, etc. Thanks for any insights!</p>

<p>What is your son’s SAT breakdown? He might also be in line for a possible merit scholarship (Pitt doesn’t count the writing portion, as far as I can see). As far as timing, I think it’s very variable.</p>

<p>In our experience, which as far as I can tell is consistent with that of others on this board, the honors invitation was first mentioned in the acceptance letter. A formal package from the Honors College followed about a week or two later. The scholarship notification was not part of the acceptance letter. The scholarship letter, dated a week after the acceptance one, arrived separately and also included an invitation to apply for the Chancellor’s scholarship. Good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks, Lurkness. He has 800 Math, 740 Critical Reading. Weighted GPA is 4.27. No word about honors or scholarships… he got his acceptance letter about a week ago. </p>

<p>And thanks as well, TomisMom. That was the sense we had (that many heard at the time of acceptance), which is why the Admissions office’s response that we would hear mid-February confused us. Well, we’ll wait and see and post what happens here!</p>

<p>Last year, D2 received a letter informing her of her acceptance into the Honors College about 3-4 weeks after her initial letter of acceptance. (I think she heard of acceptance to Pitt in October and the Honors College letter came in November) There was no mention of honors college eligibility in the initial letter. She never did get any offer of scholarship money, but that wsn’t why she chose to go to another school.</p>

<p>whack, your son’s scores are terrific! If you’re out of state, I think that helps get scholarship money, from what I have observed, because Pitt is trying to attract a national student body. But even if you’re in state, I would be surprised if your son didn’t get some money. I would bet full-tuition scholarship, plus additional money each year from the engineering department.</p>

<p>Thanks so much QuiteType and LurkNess. This board is an amazing resource. We are out-of-state, and it’s good to know that the letters may still be on the way. Fingers crossed, and thanks for the information and support.</p>

<p>For what it’s worth, my ds is in the “accepted” no mention of honors college with 1450/2140 - he wrote an email to admissions asking if the Oct SAT (which brought him up above 1400) was considered and got an email back saying “we received your email requesting reconsideration for honors college” and that they will get back to him within 14 days. Still waiting (been about 10days), engineering too.</p>

<p>@whackadoodle
If these are his CR + Math scores, I’d be really surprised if your son didn’t get invited into the Honors College, at the very least. As an out-of-state applicant with virtually identical stats, my son was offered a full tuition scholarship last year. It sounds like your son will have lots of great choices come April…</p>

<p>@Amanda – so interesting and inconsistent with their telling me we wouldn’t hear about Honors until February! Good luck to you and your son.
@ TomisMom – thanks! We’ll keep you posted. Hope your son is enjoying Pitt (if that’s where he ended up!)</p>

<p>My D’s acceptance letter was dated October 5th and had this as the opening sentence: “Congratulations! I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for admission to the University of Pittsburgh and that you are eligible to participate in the University Honors College”. She then received the official Honors College letter that was dated October 12th. And then she received her Full Tuition Scholarship letter and invitation to apply for the Chancellor’s Scholarship with a letter dated November 8th. It seems as though the process may vary a little but this was the sequence with my D. Hope that helps…</p>

<p>Didn’t get that. Mine did have something how it said that ‘Every year Upitt chooses a few applicants that are very special and can contribute a lot to the community,’ or something along those lines, ‘and you are one of them’. Hope that means something!!</p>

<p>MidWestPop, did your daughter get a full scholarship? Do you mind sharing her stats? My letter was worded the same way, and I then received the official Honor’s College letter a few days later. Hope that means I am getting a scholarship as well.</p>

<p>Last year D’s acceptance letter did not mention the honors college. She received the letter within 2 weeks. She has been living happily ever after in the honors dorm. There is no doubt that your son will be invited with his stats! I believe 1400 is the cut off for honors college.</p>

<p>1400 is not an absolute cutoff for Honors program. My son got in with 1390.</p>

<p>In response to the original post, it is possible that the Engineering school handles their letters, timetables and procedures a little differently from Liberal Arts.</p>

<p>Yes my D had a 1390 also. I believe because she showed interest she was admitted. 1400 is what I found in print last year. My Point is the original post stats are higher so there is no doubt.</p>

<p>My daughter was also accepted into the Swanson School of Engineering (and Honors College and OOS full tuition scholarship) and, for her, it was exactly as Midwestpop said with the letters and timetable. I wish you the best of luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for all the input, everyone! It’s very helpful. One possible rationale is timing. My son submitted around Nov. 1st – maybe the UHC process is different when there is a flood of applications. The other is that maybe the people who got admitted to UHC at the same time as regular admission had higher stats than my son. We’ll see, but knowing other people’s timelines is very interesting!</p>

<p>GiantsFan18, good luck to you on your scholarship! D has a 4.0 unweighted GPA, a 34 ACT and is a NMSF. She (and I)was very pleased to get the full tuition scholarship offer.</p>

<p>Just to followup - ds applied 10/18, accepted 11/1, no mention of honors - sent email asking about that, “you will hear from us in 10-14 days”, got letter acceptance to honors college yesterday 11/24. Now let’s hope there is some moooolah also!</p>